The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been accused of taking a private photographer to Buckingham Palace for photographs without the permission of the late Queen.
It comes after a behind-the-scenes image was broadcast on Netflix in a trailer for the couple’s new documentary, which shows a series of black and white photographs taken at their Frogmore Cottage home, during their 2018 wedding reception and on holidays.
The one-minute-long trailer features an image which appears to have been taken inside Buckingham Palace, showing the couple walking out of the garden entrance.
Protocol dictates that anyone who wants to film or take pictures in the monarch’s home require permission.
A new picture has shared a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s last engagements in the UK before they stepped down as senior royals, back in March 2020. The couple is seen exiting Buckingham Palace’s garden entrance hand-in-hand
The pair threw axed staff members a ‘farewell lunch’ at exclusive five-star The Goring Hotel last Thursday (pictured, at the Endeavour Award’s that evening)
According to the Telegraph, the photograph caused some contention among palace aides at the time, with a written complaint lodged amid claims the couple had not asked permission to film in the 775-room royal residence.
It is thought the Sussexes were not made personally aware of the warning, and the photographer was not asked to leave the grounds.
According to insiders, in normal circumstances, a memo would have been sent to the late Queen to seek approval amid ‘strict protocol’ around filming and photography inside the palace.
It is believed the images were captured during the couple’s ‘farewell tour’ of the UK in March 2020, which included a wealth of public engagements before they headed back to the US.
While in the UK, the couple were followed by photographer Chris Allerton. However, the never-before-seen image which appears on the Netflix trailer has not yet been credited to a named photographer.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared a number of ultra-personal unseen images in the first trailer for their new Netflix documentary today. In one clip from the documentary, Meghan is seen with her head in her hands apparently weeping
Other previously unseen images shared by the couple appear to show them in the early stages of their relationship while on holiday
The image shows the Duke and Duchess walking towards the garden exit of Buckingham Palace where two footmen are holding the doors open for them. Meghan is sporting a winter coat and heels, and appears to be holding a handbag similar to an outfit she wore to a farewell lunch for staff at the Goring Hotel during their March 2020 visit.
Sources claim there could be more images to come in the documentary, with the pair having held events in the Belgian Suite, 1844 room, and staff offices at that time.
One insider said the presence of the photographer in the palace was a ‘genuine violation’ of protocol.
The image was just one of many taken for behind-the-scenes shots which aired in the trailer, and could air in the upcoming six-part documentary, which explores their relationship from its early days to their decision to step back from the royal family.
The documentary is set to include interviews with family and friends, who have never spoken publicly about the couple, and historians and journalists who delve into the media’s influence on the Sussexes relationship with the royal family and Commonwealth.
In one previously unseen photograph from their wedding, the Duke and Duchess can be seen dancing together
William and Kate with Harry and Meghan at the 2019 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
The Sussexes have been paid a rumoured $100million (£88million) for the fly-on-the-wall series.
Other images show the couple kissing in their Frogmore Cottage home, and an image of what appears to be Meghan crying during a phone call with her head in her hand.
Another shows the couple gazing lovingly at each other while Prince Harry holds a guitar, enjoying time on holiday together, and dancing at their wedding reception.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also featured in the trailer, with a black-and-white image of the foursome sat together at the Commonwealth Day service held at Westminster Abbey in 2020 – one of the Sussexes; last royal engagements.
The clip opens with a producer asking ‘why do you want to make this documentary?’ before more than a dozen photos flash up of Harry and Meghan sharing time together, along with one image of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Harry’s voice is heard saying, ‘no one sees what goes on behind closed doors’, before viewers are shown the photo of Meghan in distress. ‘I had to do everything I could to protect my family’, the duke adds later.
The trailer finally cuts to his wife, who says: ‘When the stakes are this high, doesn’t it make sense to hear our story from us?’
MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
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