Alison Hammond defends Harry and Meghan amid backlash over the timing of their ... trends now
Alison Hammond defended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Friday amid the backlash over the timing of the promotion of their new Netflix documentary.
The presenter, 47, quipped that the pair are 'damned if they do and damned if they don't' and said that 'if the Kardashians can do it why can't Harry and Meghan' - in relation to the upcoming fly-on-the-wall show.
A promotional trailer, which was posted online on the second day of the Prince and Princess of Wales' high-profile visit to the US this week, dispelled any hopes that the Sussexes are declaring a ceasefire in their acrimonious battle with the Royal Family.
Having her say: Alison Hammond defended Harry and Meghan on Friday amid backlash over the timing of the promotion of their new Netflix documentary
Before airing a clip of the teaser on This Morning on Friday Alison said: 'I'm so excited. I can't wait.'
The trailer featured the section where Meghan says: 'When the stakes are this high doesn't it make more sense to hear our stories from us?'
Alison then said: 'Yes, Meghan I want to hear the story, everyone wants to hear it.'
Guest commentator Gyles Brandreth then argued how the pair have previously said they want a private life which seems at odds with doing a fly-on-the-wall documentary.
Awkward: A promotional trailer, which was posted online on the second day of the Prince and Princess of Wales' high-profile visit to the US this week, dispelled any hopes that the Sussexes are declaring a ceasefire in their acrimonious battle with the Royal Family
But Alison defended them saying them saying: 'Well if the Kim Kardashians do it why can't they, I feel like they're damned if they do, damned if they don't.'
Gyles then quipped: 'But are they becoming the royal Kardashians? - that's the question!'
Fellow commentator Sonia Sodha then said agreeing with Gyles: 'It's just that having it all out there - it's not very British is it?'
Opinions: The presenter, 47, quipped that the pair are 'damned if they do and damned if they don't' and said that 'if the Kardashians can do it why can't Harry and Meghan'
Debate: Guest commentator Gyles Brandreth then argued how the pair have previously said they want a private life which seems at odds with doing a fly-on-the-wall documentary
Royal insiders reacted with horror and an increasing sense of anger yesterday as the trailer was released on social media ahead of the documentary being broadcast on Netflix next week as part of the Sussexes' multi-million dollar deal with the streaming giant.
There was also disappointment that it had been released to coincide with William and Kate's trip to the US, their first visit to the country since 2014, during which the prince is hosting his major environmental project, the Earthshot Prize.
While it is unlikely that the duke and duchess had much say on the trailer's release date, the glee with which their supporters and publicists were treating it spoke volumes.
Live TV: But Alison defended them saying them saying: 'Well if the Kim Kardashians do it why can't they, I feel like they're damned if they do, damned if they don't'
The Sussexes' biographer, Omid Scobie, directly referred to the fact that Earthshot is so significant to William that it is being billed as his 'Super Bowl moment'. He crowed on Twitter: 'If tomorrow is Prince William's Super Bowl – then here's your half-time show.'
It's also not the first time this has happened. In 2019, while William and Kate were touring Pakistan, ITV released the trailer for a documentary on the Sussexes' trip to Africa.
The Netflix series refers to the couple just by their first names – 'Harry & Meghan' – which has prompted some commentary in royal circles about their parallels with the infamous reality family the Kardashians.
'It's hard not to make the comparison, really,' one insider said wryly.
Difficult: Harry and Meghan's new Netflix documentary is being seen as a 'declaration of war' by the royals, sources said last night
The Kardashians' reality series documents almost every moment of their lives - the good, bad and ugly.
A royal insider said the trailer indicates Meghan and Harry are willing to do the same - despite their repeated calls for privacy over the years.
The trailer has also coincided with a string of PR announcements by the Sussexes, including an appearance by Meghan at a women's dinner in Indiana and the announcement of a charity donation of handbags she has facilitated.
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