Meghan and Harry 'Bombshell' Interview With Oprah Winfrey
Sunday primetime Oprah Winfrey's explosive interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan amassed over 17 million spectators on the night, and it is still being dissected and debated by US and UK media. The two hours long conversation between the queen of the daytime TV and the Dukes revealed the true causes behind Megxit. The intimate talk between the two women reveals that racism and lack of support from family members were the reason why the couple decided to leave the UK. In early 2020, Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing they were stepping down as senior royals. The Sun was the first UK newspaper to reveal the couple's intention to leave the UK. The Dukes confirmed it shortly afterward via a news website, suggesting they planned to take on a “progressive new role” within the monarchy. Prince Harry and Meghan flew to their short-term base in Canada before moving to California where they now permanently live with their son Archie.
Prince Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey. Joe Pugliese/CBS
Oprah Winfrey's two hours long interview exposed the real reason behind the hard choice to step down from senior royal. The couple's allegations over racism and mental health have sparked reactions of concern and disdain all over the world. The difficulties and the lack of support from the monarchy towards the Duchess began before the beautiful wedding in Windsor castle, and became even more unsustainable after the birth of the couple's first child. One of the biggest allegations from the interview was that there were "several conversations" within the Royal Family about how dark Meghan and Harry's baby might be. Such private conversations also implied that the newborn would not be given a royal title and police protection. Under rules in place since 1917, the couple's children would not automatically become princes or princesses - unless the Queen was to intervene. Meghan said the conversations were with Harry, who relayed them to her. Both refused to say which royal said it. The second main allegation concerned how the Palace dealt with the duchess's mental problems. Meghan said there had been times when she "didn't want to be alive anymore" because she found royal life so difficult. She said she asked for help from the Palace but received none. "I went to human resources, and I said, 'I just really - I need help'," says Meghan, adding that her request was denied since she is not a "paid employee of the institution".
Harry and Meghan Markle's Wedding Day. CREDIT: Ben Stansall/PA
Oprah asked Harry about his relationships with his family and especially with his father Charles, the Prince of Wales, and brother, the Duke of Cambridge. Harry revealed that after stepping back as senior royals, Charles stopped taking his calls. "I feel really let down because he's been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like and Archie's his grandson. On William, Harry said he loved him to bits, and they have been through hell together "But we were on different paths." The couple confirmed the "really good" relationship with the Queen, "She's my colonel-in-chief, right? She always will be." Harry said.
Buckingham Palace finally broke its silence on Tuesday evening with a short statement issued on behalf of the Queen read: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
The questions over who said what, who knew what, and if anyone could have done more to address the issues of discrimination and a lack of support that the Sussexes claim remain unanswered. Despite this, the couple seems to have found serenity in America. Harry and Meghan confirm they are expecting a baby girl in the summer. Towards the end of the conversation, Oprah asked if Meghan had got her happy ending with Prince Harry after all. "Greater than any fairytale that you've ever read," she said.