Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
The release of the trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix documentary makes the front pages of many tabloids, as well as upcoming strikes and the shocking news that Germany are out of the World Cup.
Prince Harry and Meghan Netflix documentary
The Daily Mail – a prominent anti-Harry and Meghan newspaper – says the documentary is “a declaration of war.” The paper shows two pictures from the trailer and says they used an “unflattering image” of Kate and the other is of Meghan “weeping.”
The Daily Express – another tabloid that does not look at the couple favourably, asks: “Harry, do you really hate your family so much?”. The paper calls the trailer a “bombshell” and “ill-timed” and says it threatens to widen the chasm between the couple and the Royal Family.
For the Sun, the paper calls the series a “sabotage” and proclaims that the “Kiss Means War”. It goes on to make the dig that the “privacy-loving” couple has been accused of hypocrisy after appearing in tears and sharing private snaps.
“Publicity-shy couple share most intimate secrets with 8 billion people,” is the Daily Star’s verdict.
The Times reports that insiders believe Harry and Meghan have “deliberately torpedoed” the Prince and Princess of Wales’ US trip. The paper says the first glimpse of their documentary suggests that the Sussexes “will pull no punches” and likens the couple to the “Kardashians”.
The Telegraph also focuses on the timing of the release of the trailer, saying it has stolen the spotlight. But the paper says the “turmoil” is failing to “ruffle” William and Kate – who are in the US for William’s climate change awards.
The left-wing papers take a very different tone on the two former royals, with many not featuring the news on the front page and instead focusing on the upcoming strikes.
The Daily Mirror says the Netflix series may contain “further damaging allegations of racism.” The headline on the front page says “Royal crisis deepens” and says the Prince and Princess of Wales’ trip are being overshadowed by the “Palace race storm.”
Christmas strike chaos & Test cricket ‘centurions’
Several of the front pages lead on the strikes planned in the run-up to Christmas.
The Guardian leads with a warning that the NHS “will grind to a halt” on 20 December. The paper says union chiefs are discussing plans for what it calls a “co-ordinated Christmas strike,” in England and Wales, by nurses, ambulance workers and hospital staff.
The i newspaper reports the Royal Mail is struggling to cope with a “parcel mountain.” The paper shows a postal depot crammed with trolleys full of post and says cards posted now may not arrive in time for Christmas.
The Times reports that ministers have called on Britain’s biggest rail union, the RMT, to be “altruistic” and suspend strike action in the run-up to Christmas and after the New Year. It says ministers fear that the walkouts will cost the economy more than £1.7bn.
On the back pages, England’s cricketers are praised for taking Test cricket to “new heights”, says the Times, after scoring a record-breaking 506 runs on the opening day of their first match against Pakistan. Whilst the Mirror hails the four batsmen who hit more than 100 runs each as “Centurions” and the Sun declares England has “tons of fun.”
