It is understood ITV paid £1million for the rights to the original programme – but sources say this only covered the part aired in the US.

The talk was syndicated to 70 countries netting millions of dollars, but Harry and Meghan reportedly were not paid.

The full interview, three hours 20 minutes long, was cut to one hour and 25 minutes for the CBS broadcast, viewed by more than 12million on ITV the following night.