ITV’s landmark documentary on the royal family has received a mixed response after viewers complained there was ‘too much Meghan and not enough Queen’.
Queen Of The World premiered on Tuesday night, examining the monarch’s role as head of the Commonwealth as she prepares to delegate responsibility to the younger members of the family.
The first installment of a two-part series, it was billed by the broadcaster as an ‘unprecedented and exclusive portrait’ of the world’s longest-serving head of state.
But just minutes into the documentary, fans had taken to social media to complain producers had given more airtime to the younger royals – in particular the newly-married Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Viewers had mixed feelings about ITV’s new Queen of the World documentary, billed as a portrait of the monarch as head of the Commonwealth – arguing there was too much focus on Meghan (pictured earlier this year at a Buckingham Palace garden party)
The new ITV show examines the Queen’s role as head of the Commonwealth as she prepares to delegate responsibility to the younger members of the monarchy (pictured at Ascot in June)
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Thought this was meant to be about the Queen?! Waiting to hear about the Queen and not Meghan.’
Another penned: ‘Nearly half an hour in and #QueenOfTheWorld has far too much Meghan and not enough Queen.’
One scene saw Meghan, 37, being reunited with her wedding dress before it goes on display at Windsor Castle and talking a Royal Collection curator through the meaning behind the veil, created by Givenchy designer Claire Waight Keller.
Some viewers complained that ‘odd editing’ meant same scene was repeated as many as three times throughout the hour-long episode.
Twitter user Tracey wrote: ‘Loved #QueenOfTheWorld tonight. What was going on with the editing though? Sure we saw the same clip with Meghan talking about flowers/ veil about three times!’
The two-part programme, which aired last night, saw the Duchess of Sussex (seen on the show) discussing her wedding day and the elaborate veil she wore to walk down the aisle
Meghan’s stunning veil (as seen during last night’s show) was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations at the Duchess’s request, as well as wintersweet
Happy memories: The Duchess of Sussex smiles broadly as she is reunited with her wedding gown in a clip from the new ITV documentary, Queen of the World, which premiered last night
Meghan is seen in her Givenchy gown and spectacular hand embroidered veil as she and Prince Harry emerged from St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle as man and wife on May 19th
Mixed response: Just minutes into the documentary, fans had taken to social media to complain producers had given more airtime to the younger royals – in particular Meghan
Another admitted they felt like they were ‘losing their mind’ rewatching the same footage, penning: ‘How many times did we have to see Meghan describing her veil? Thought I’d switched over to +1 by mistake!’
A third wrote: ‘#QueenOfTheWorld tonight was very oddly edited. It seemed that Meghan’s veil (and the same clip of her talking about it, repeated multiple times) was used as some sort of plot device?’
However, others argued the focus on Meghan and Harry was justified as the younger royals represent the ‘next generation’ of the Commonwealth.
One said: ‘Seeing [Meghan] talk about her dress and such a fine speaker shows she’s going to be a massive part in the changes coming to the family’.
Confusion: Some viewers complained that ‘odd editing’ meant that same scene was repeated as many as three times throughout the hour-long documentary
Meghan could be seen delicately handling the elaborate veil, which was embroidered with flowers from each of the 53 Commonwealth nations at the Duchess’ request.
It also featured wintersweet – which grows in the garden at Nottingham Cottage, the home she shares with Prince Harry in the grounds of Kensington Palace – and the California poppy, a nod to her native state.
Meghan’s husband Prince Harry also appeared in the documentary, in which he is seen joking that he still ‘panics’ when he bumps into his grandmother the Queen in the corridors of Buckingham Palace.
Support: Some fans of the new ITV documentary argued the focus on Meghan and Harry was justified as the younger royals represent the ‘next generation’ of the Commonwealth
In one scene aired on Tuesday, Meghan’s wedding dress was described as ‘the most famous dress in the world’ – leading to much amusement among fans on social media (pictured)
Elsewhere, viewers were amused by the narrator describing Meghan’s bridal gown as ‘the most famous dress in the world’ – citing Diana and Kate’s wedding dresses as equally memorable.
One quipped: ‘Sorry Meghan and ITV but the most famous dress in the world has to be Liz Hurley’s safety pink dress.’
Queen Of The World examines the head of state’s role as a global figure and the baton she is passing on to younger members of the Royal Family, as they continue to strengthen ties with the family of nations.
Harry is now a Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and has already spoken about how his wife will join him in his work – which will see them begin a major Commonwealth tour in October.
Queen of the World returns next Tuesday at 9pm on ITV