Two years have passed since the release of Harry & Meghan on Netflix on December 8, 2022, and the docuseries continues to spark mixed reactions. While some viewers celebrated the intimate portrayal of the couple’s love story, others were critical, particularly of a scene featuring Meghan Markle’s recounting of her first meeting with Queen Elizabeth II. This scene drew attention for its portrayal of Meghan’s curtsy, which many felt was exaggerated and disrespectful to the late Queen.
In the series, Meghan shared how she learned she would be meeting the Queen at the last minute, with Prince Harry giving her quick instructions on how to curtsy. The moment was described as surreal, and Meghan playfully performed an exaggerated curtsy for the camera, which some viewers interpreted as mocking the Queen.
Body language expert Jesús Enrique Rosas weighed in, interpreting Prince Harry’s reaction as one of discomfort. He observed that Harry’s flushed face and the tension in his expression suggested a mix of anger and embarrassment. Rosas described Harry’s reaction as “covert anger,” explaining that if he were truly ashamed, he would have shown more nervousness or laughter. The expert suggested that Harry may have anticipated Meghan’s behavior and found it difficult to watch.
Social media reactions to the curtsy scene were mixed. Some viewers accused Meghan of mocking the Queen, while others defended her, claiming that she was mocking herself rather than the Royal Family. Regardless of the controversy, the docuseries attracted a large audience, and it remains the Sussexes’ most successful Netflix project. The other shows under their multi-million deal—Live to Lead, Heart of Invictus, and Polo—failed to generate the same level of interest or success.
The curtsy incident continues to be a topic of debate, reflecting the polarizing nature of the Sussexes’ public image and the scrutiny they face in the media.
