The Duchess of Sussex has given her first major ‘sit down’ interview since joining the Royal Family for a high profile documentary series on the Queen.
Queen of the World, to be broadcast on ITV next month, will offer a unique insight into Her Majesty role as a figure on the global stage and the baton she is passing to the younger members of the family as they continue her passion for the Commonwealth.
Filmed over more than a year by Oxford Films, the crew has been given privileged access to the Queen, her family, her staff and her residences, as they tell the story of how the Commonwealth has been a central focus and passion throughout her life.
Meghan, 37, has given a lengthy interview to the team, as has her husband, Prince Harry, who has been named by the monarch as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and says he and Meghan will make the young people of the Commonwealth a priority of their public work.
The Duchess of Sussex was interviewed at length by the team behind new documentary Queen of the World which will air on ITV next month (pictured today at a Hamilton show)
Interviews have also been given by Prince Charles, Prince William, Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex.
The programmes will also feature cine footage from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s private film archives and treasures from the Royal Collection.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (pictured on Wednesday) were interviewed alongside other members of the royal family
Its makers say the series will offer an unprecedented insight into Queen’s early years as Head of the Commonwealth – when she had the symbols of the then eight Commonwealth countries embroidered on to her Coronation gown – and how that number had risen to 53 by the time the Duchess of Sussex had the flowers of the Commonwealth sewn onto her wedding veil in May.
Jo Clinton-Davis, Controller of Factual at ITV, said: ‘The Queen is a unique figure on the world stage, with a huge depth of experience having met more global leaders than any previous British monarch and serving longer than all of them.
Queen of the World which is being aired in September gives unique insight into Her Majesty role as a figure on the global stage
Meghan Markle (pictured on her wedding day) spoke to the documentary team about her new life as a member of the British royal family
‘This film is a rare opportunity to see Her Majesty up close and behind the scenes in this role, which means so much to her and has been so significant for Britain and the Commonwealth.’ Nicolas Kent, Creative Director for Oxford Films and Executive Producer for Queen of the World, added: ‘The Queen is the most well-travelled monarch in history and it’s been fascinating to see how she has passed on her experience to the younger generations of the royal family.
‘With the Duke and Duchess of Sussex about to embark on their first Commonwealth Tour to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific exactly sixty-five years after the Queen’s first Commonwealth Tour, this series could not be more timely.’ Harry and Meghan will tour Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October.