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Prince Harry hits back at 'shameful' claim he said 'Brits need to learn a lesson'

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III.  (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Harry wearing his military medals at the State Funeral of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. (Getty Images)

Prince Harry has hit back at a report claiming he said "Brits need to learn a lesson" before his bombshell interview with Oprah.

The Sun newspaper also claimed in an article at the weekend that a "gloating" Harry "boasted" to a friend that the Royal Family would find the interview "quite shocking".

The report comes just days before a Netflix documentary featuring the Sussexes is set to drop. The couple has described it as a chance to "hear our story from us".

A spokesperson for the Sussexes described the report as a "baseless hit piece masquerading as journalism".

They added: "This story is riddled with inaccuracies, not least of which is a quote erroneously attributed to Prince Harry. To accuse a man who spent 10 years serving his country of wanting to teach that same country a lesson is not only an attempted distraction but an unfortunate and predictable tabloid strategy.

"To pit him against his country is shameful and manipulative, especially when Prince Harry has never spoken ill of the British public.”

Prince Harry did not hesitate to blast the front-page report in The Sun as
Prince Harry did not hesitate to blast the front-page report in The Sun as "baseless". (The Sun)

In the 2021 interview with Oprah, the Sussexes made a series of claims about life in the royal household.

In one particularly shocking moment, Meghan said she had experienced suicidal thoughts and had got to the stage where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore”. She also accused the palace of refusing to help her.

"I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help," she said. "I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Queen Elizabeth II 's grandchildren (L-R) Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Beatrice, Harry, Duke of Sussex and Peter Phillips hold a vigil beside the coffin of their grandmother as it lies in state on the catafalque inside Westminster Hall on September 17, 2022 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II's grandchildren mount a family vigil over her coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Harry was permitted by the Royal Family to wear his military uniform for the grandchildren's vigil in Westminster Hall, but not for the state funeral itself. (Getty Images)

The couple also alleged that racist comments had been made within the Royal Family over "concerns" about how dark about Archie's skin might be.

The duke and duchess later confirmed the late Queen and Prince Philip did not make the comments.

At the time, the palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen saying the issue of race was "concerning", but that "recollections may vary".

Harry and Meghan's Netflix six-part documentary is fast approaching with the Royal Family reported to be bracing themselves for more unwelcome headlines.

The first-look trailer which was released last week has already attracted controversy. Netflix have said the series will feature "friends and family who have never spoken publicly about the couple's relationship before".

The streaming giant has also revealed that "historians and journalists" will be appear in the project.

They will explain how the media has "influenced Harry and Meghan's relationship with the Royal Family and the Commonwealth at large".

Watch: Harry & Meghan trailer