Beckhams Beat ‘Harry & Meghan’: Real Stars’ Emmy Win ‘Slap in the Face’ Leaves Meghan Embarrassed

In a striking turn of events, David and Victoria Beckham’s Netflix documentary has outshined Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s six-part docuseries, “Harry & Meghan,” by securing five Emmy nominations. This development has not only highlighted the stark contrast in the reception of both projects but also left Meghan Markle feeling embarrassed.

The Beckham documentary, which offers an intimate glimpse into the world of football and family, has been nominated for multiple Emmy categories, including Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Picture Editing, and Outstanding Music Composition. David Beckham expressed his heartfelt gratitude, describing the series as a “personal journey” and appreciating the positive response it received.

A particularly memorable scene from the Beckham documentary features Victoria Beckham candidly discussing her working-class upbringing, adding an authentic touch to the project. The documentary, directed by actor and filmmaker Fisher Stevens, is lauded for its candid approach, revealing both triumphs and challenges.

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In stark contrast, “Harry & Meghan” soared to the top of Netflix charts in both Britain and America, captivating audiences across 85 countries. However, despite its global popularity, the docuseries faced an unexpected snub at the 2023 Emmy Awards, where the Outstanding Documentary award went to the revisionist history film “The 1619 Project.” The reasons behind the lack of awards recognition for “Harry & Meghan” remain unclear, especially given its headline-making content.

The Beckham documentary’s success underscores the possibility of a celebrity biopic winning recognition even with a strong U.K. focus. Meanwhile, the trend of underwhelming recognition for Harry and Meghan’s projects persisted. Their headline-making TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, which included Meghan’s accusations of racial discrimination within the royal family, also lost the Emmy to the lighter-hearted “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.”

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Critics and viewers have been vocal about their opinions. “Harry & Meghan” received a modest 43 percent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while audience reviews averaged just 19 percent. On the other hand, Meghan found some success with her Spotify podcast, “Archetypes,” which won both a People’s Choice Award and a Gracie Award. This podcast took a different tone from the docuseries, being less critical of the British monarchy.

Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, no further royal bombshells have emerged. Despite their global fame, Harry and Meghan have largely avoided Hollywood events, skipping Los Angeles premieres and major TV awards galas. Meghan’s appearance at Variety’s Power of Women awards in November 2023 was a notable exception, but she has yet to attend the Emmys or Oscars since returning to her home state in 2020.

The Beckhams’ triumph has highlighted the differing trajectories of the two celebrity couples in the entertainment industry. As the Emmy race unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Beckhams’ nominations will translate into victories on the awards night. This development has reinforced the sentiment among viewers that “fact is better than fiction,” marking a significant moment in the ongoing saga of celebrity biopics.