Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's string-pulling exposed in newly released emails

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Harry and Meghan's staff made list of requests during 2021 trip to NYC according to leaked emails

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Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 27/09/2023

- 16:17

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Harlem in NYC in September 2021

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's team requested new cushions and a carpet, among many other demands, so that their visit to Harlem in 2021 could run smoothly, it has been disclosed.

Emails obtained by a Freedom of Information request showed how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's team controlled the narrative so that they would be portrayed positively in their Netflix docuseries titled Harry & Meghan.


The royal couple visited Public School 123, which they filmed as a part of their docuseries for the streaming giant two years ago.

According to the leaked emails seen by the Mail, representatives for the Duke and Duchess suggested bringing cushions and a new carpet to the school to complement Meghan's aesthetic.

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In addition, Archewell staff were given a say in which school they would visit, and also edited press releases to make Harry and Meghan's outings sound "more substantial".

The leaked emails showed how Archewell staff had amended the public diary so that top school officials were aware of the visit.

Only Meghan-friendly publications were invited to the press list, such as Vogue, whereas most British tabloids were banned.

The students and teachers at the elementary school were additionally made to sign "gag orders", which stopped them from speaking negatively about the couple to the press.

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During this visit, Meghan promoted her children's book The Bench, by reading sections to a class of second-grade students outside.

The Duchess drew criticism for wearing a £4,274 Loro Piana cashmere coat to the school, when 95 percent of the students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches due to their low-income backgrounds.

She also accessorised with Princess Diana's Cartier Tank watch, which is worth a whopping estimated £23,000.

The Harlem stop was part of a three-day trip to New York by the Duke and Duchess, who also visited the United Nations to talk about vaccine equity.

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Harry and Meghan then walked on stage at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park to roaring applause.

Toya Holness, who previously worked as a PR staff member for the Sussexes, planned the majority of the NYC visit six months in advance.

Archewell representatives contacted the New York City Department of Education with a "location" and "appearance" release form for filming and asked them to run it by their lawyers, three days before Harry and Meghan's arrival.

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