GALA introduces the 16 friends who comment on the couple’s relationship in the first three parts of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s Netflix documentary.
In the eagerly awaited documentary series by Prince Harry, 38, and Duchess Meghan, 41, the first three parts of which were released on Netflix on Thursday, December 8th, friends also have their say, of whom one has otherwise not heard so much. GALA presents the 16 people close to the ducal couple.
The 16 friends of Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry who have their say in the documentary
1. Jill Smoller, girlfriend of Meghan and Serena Williams
Jill Smoller, 58, is an American sports agent and former professional tennis player. Tennis star Serena Williams, 41, also a friend of Duchess Meghan, is one of her clients. In the Netflix documentary, Smoller recounts watching Wimbledon with Meghan just days before the ‘Suits’ actress had her first date with Prince Harry.
Jill Smoller (l) follows a tennis match in the stands with Serena Williams’ mother Oracene Price.
© Matthew Stockman / Getty Images
2. Nicky, Harry’s childhood friend
Harry’s childhood friend Nicky, whose last name is not yet known, reports in the documentary about their time together at Eton College. At that time the two boys were 13 years old. “I thought there was a deal with the media that William and Harry would be left alone for a little bit while they were at school,” Nicky said. “But on day one we left the house and got into such a crush that we hadn’t seen, all the flashing lights and media everywhere.”
3.Vicky Tsai
Victoria “Vicky” Tsai is the co-founder of beauty brand Tatcha and a friend of Meghan’s. In the second episode of the Netflix documentary, the beauty expert opens up about the relief she felt when Meghan and Harry’s secret love affair became public.
© Presley Ann / Getty Images
4. Dhru Purohit
Dhru Purohit, 40, is a Nairobi, Kenya-born, US-based podcast host, author, entrepreneur and investor in the health and wellness industry. He has been married to his wife Yasmin Nouri since 2021. In the documentary, he expresses his joy at Harry and Meghan’s relationship.
5. Nick Collins, Meghan’s former advisor
Nick Collins accompanied Meghan for many years: he was her advisor when she was still in front of the camera for the television series “Suits”. He was invited as a guest to the wedding with Prince Harry. Even when Meghan and Harry stepped down from royal duties, he supported them. In 2021, however, Meghan separated from her long-term manager to reorganize her team of advisors. In the documentary, he recalls Meghan and Harry’s blossoming love story.
Nick Collins (left) was Meghan’s longtime advisor.
© Jared Siskin / Getty Images
6. Lucy Fraser, Meghan’s girlfriend
Lucy Fraser, whose real name is Lucy Meadmore according to the Daily Mail and who was also present at the royal couple’s wedding, is one of Meghan’s closest friends. She warned Meghan about her liaison with Harry before the British press. “I remember saying to her, ‘If this becomes public, it’s not going to be easy.’ The British media is notorious for doing whatever it takes to get a story.” Fraser also offers a glimpse into the “single-girl summer” of 2016 that Meghan enjoyed in Europe with her and third girlfriend, Lindsay Jill Roth.
7. Susan Williger, Meghan’s childhood friend
Susan Williger is a friend of Meghan’s from school days. She remembers how Meghan first became interested in the stage. “Tom [Markle] did a lot for our school by directing the lights, and Meghan was involved in the performances.” She met Meghan in seventh grade, Williger said: “We all went to our new classes and she held the door for me up and stepping. We quickly became friends.”
8. David Olusoga
David Olusoga, 52, is a British writer and filmmaker and Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester. In the documentary, he explains how he was captivated by Harry and Meghan’s fairytale wedding: “Like everyone else, a lot of black Britons I know were swept up in the romance and wonder of that moment. I wanted it Works – like a lot of Brits wanted it to work.”
David Olusoga is a British writer and filmmaker.
© Lia Toby / Getty Images
9. Aibgail Spencer, Meghan’s “Suits” co-star
With Abigail Spencer, 41, Meghan stood in front of the camera for the television series “Suits”. The professional collaboration developed into a close friendship off-screen that led to Spencer getting a front row seat at Harry and Meghan’s dream wedding in 2018. She couldn’t be missing from Meghan’s baby shower for the unborn Archie either. In the documentary, the actress recalls when Meghan told her about first meeting Prince Harry. “I could feel her body vibrating,” Spencer said. “We have a photo of that moment and I scream at it because I knew it was different.”
Abigail Spencer stars alongside Meghan in Suits.
© Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty Images
10. Silver Tree, producer
California producer Silver Tree, 45, met Meghan on the set of Suits. Since then, the filmmaker has defended her friend and criticized the media’s behavior. “The paparazzi came out and tried to get a glimpse of her,” Silver Tree said. “And there were people trying to buy call logs from our show’s production assistants to find out when she was on set.”
11. Chantelle Humphrey, Meghan’s former assistant
Chantelle Humphrey is Meghan’s former personal assistant. In the documentary, she reflects that Meghan had a “beautiful life” before meeting Prince Harry. “She had so much freedom, she had a beautiful life before it all exploded… [Dann nahmen die Dinge] a dark twist,” she says.
12. Heather Dorak, Meghan’s Pilates friend
Heather Dorak and Meghan have been friends since 2006. The two women met while attending a Pilates class at Heather’s Pilates Platinum gym in Los Angeles, which offers classes for $225 a month. Regarding Meghan’s acting beginnings, she says: “She auditioned and was about to get roles but didn’t get them. I was just so amazed and proud of her that she fell and got back up. She just kept going.”
13. Lindsay Jill Roth, Meghan’s close friend
Lindsay Jill Roth is one of Meghan’s closest friends. She has a long-standing friendship with the TV producer and author, which began while she was still studying at the university. About Meghan’s single summer 2016, she says, like friend Lucy Fraser, that Meghan wanted to have fun. “[Meghan] had a few different trips planned and she was just free.”
14. Misan Harriman, photographer and activist
Misan Harriman, 45, is a Nigerian-born photographer and activist. In the documentary, he describes how many dark-skinned Britons felt “seen” when Harry and Meghan announced their engagement.
Activist Misan Harriman takes a positive view of Harry and Meghan’s engagement.
© Kate Green / Getty Images
15.Christopher Bouzy
Tech entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy is the head of the Bot Sentinel platform, which aims to track down false information and harassment on the Internet. Research by the company had revealed that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan had been subjected to a hate campaign. Harry says so in the trailer for the documentary: “It’s about hate. It’s about race.”
16. Nacho Figueras, Harry’s polo friend
Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, 45, is an Argentine polo player and friend of Harry’s. He even made his good buddy an ambassador for his charity Sentebale.
Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry take part in a polo tournament together.
© Roslan Rahman / Getty Images
Sources used: “Harry & Meghan” (accessed from netflix.com), hellomagazine.com, instagram.com, facebook.com, dhrupurohit.com, dailymail.co.uk, pilatesplatinum.com, misanharriman.com, own research