Royal revelations: Highlights of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview with Oprah Winfrey
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “dropped bombs” in their tell-all exclusive interview with the Queen of All Media, Oprah Winfrey. The interview that aired on CBS on March 8, comes after the couple formally stepped down as working members of the British Royal Family, and after they have announced on Valentine's Day that they are expecting their second child.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey / Source: Harpo Productions/ CBS
Below are the controversial revelations of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their much talked about interview with Oprah Winfrey.
1. Prince Harry and Meghan secretly married three days before their royal wedding
Before their royal wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel on Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, the couple secretly got married three days before the said televised royal wedding. They were wed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on May 16, 2018.
Meghan said of their televised royal wedding, "I think we were both really aware, even in advance of that just, this wasn't our day. This was the day that was planned for the world."
2. It was Kate Middleton who made Meghan cry, not the other way around
There were rumors swirling that Meghan made the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton cry before her wedding to Prince Harry.
But according to Meghan, the opposite happened. She told Oprah, “The reverse happened.”
Meghan also detailed her side of the story regarding the issue over the flower girl dresses that ignited this conflict between her and Kate.
“It made me cry. It really hurt my feelings . . . And I don't say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding, and she was upset about something. But she owned it, and she apologized, and she brought me flowers and a note apologizing.”
Despite having resolved the issue, the Duchess of Sussex believes this was the beginning of a smear campaign against her.
“The narrative about, you know, making Kate cry I think was the beginning of a real character assassination. And they knew it wasn't true.
3. Someone in the royal family brought up concerns about “how dark” their baby's skin will be
One of the most shocking revelations from Meghan is the issue of racism they've experienced from certain members of the royal family.
Meghan revealed to Oprah, “We have in tandem the conversation of 'he won't be given security,' 'he's not gonna be given a title'…and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.”
Oprah was stunned and asked. “There's a conversation with you…about how dark your baby is going to be?”
“With Harry,” Meghan replied. “...potentially and what that would mean or look like.”
Meghan refused to name the said royal as it can be “damaging” to his or her reputation.
The Duchess of Sussex also talked about how the palace eventually decided not to give Archie a title or any royal protection, which led to her having concerns about Archie's safety.
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle reveals the racism she experienced within the royal family / Source: Harpo Productions/ CBS
4. Oprah clears that it wasn't Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip
In Oprah Winfrey's interview in CBS in the Morning, Oprah revealed that Prince Harry made clarifications on who among the royal family expressed concern over Archie's potentially dark complexion.
Oprah said, “He did not share the identity with me, but he wanted to make sure that I knew--and if I had an opportunity, to share it--that it was neither his grandmother, nor his grandfather that were part of those conversations.”
5. Meghan had suicidal thoughts and was denied help for her mental health struggles
Meghan also divulged about the mental health struggles she went through during her time as a working royal.
She said, “I didn't want to be alive anymore. That was a very clear and real and frightening, constant thought.”
Meghan then revealed how she sought help from a senior, but to no avail.
“I went to one of the most senior people to get help. I share this because there are so many people who...are afraid to voice that they need help, and I know personally how hard it is to not just voice it, but when you voice it, say no...[Going to a hospital] is what I was asking to do. You can't just do that, I couldn't call an Uber to the palace, you couldn't just go.”
6. Meghan was silenced and made to believe it was for her protection
At one point, Meghan spoke about the irony of being an advocate for women empowerment and women using their voices, and yet she was silent.
Oprah then asked whether Meghan was silent or was she silenced. To which Meghan replied, “The latter.”
During her time at the palace, Meghan, along with her family and friends, were allegedly instructed to respond with “no comment” to any reports about her.
She initially thought it was a move to protect her, but turns out, they were protecting other members of the royal family.
“They were willing to lie to protect other members of the family. But they weren't willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.”
7. The palace didn't defend Meghan against racist attacks
Prince Harry revealed his dismay over the fact that despite welcoming his wife Meghan into the royal family, they didn't defend or protect her from a slew of racist attacks.
“There was an opportunity, many opportunities, for my family to show support,” Prince Harry said. “No one from my family said anything.”
He also believes this is because members of the royal family are “scared" of the British press.
8. Prince Harry is not in good terms with his father Prince Charles
Prince Harry revealed, “I feel really let down because he's been through something similar. And Archie's his grandson." He continued, “Of course, I will always love him, but there's a lot of hurt that's happened."
9. Prince Harry confirms rift with his brother Prince William
Prince Harry confirmed that he is no longer on speaking terms with his brother, Prince William. He told Oprah, ”The relationship is 'space' at the moment. And you know, time heals all things, hopefully.”
10. Queen Elizabeth wasn't “blindsided” by their royal exit.
Prince Harry told Oprah that there have been several discussions between them and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles before their royal exit.
Prince Harry said, “When we were in Canada, I had three conversations with my grandmother and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls and asked me to put it in writing.”
The Duke of Sussex also added, “I never blindsided my grandmother. I have too much respect for her.”
Prince Harry reveals feeling trapped as a royal and how his relationships with his father and brother are both strained / Source: Harpo Productions/ CBS
11. Prince Harry felt trapped as a royal
During the interview, Oprah asked Prince Harry if he would've been able to step back as a royal if it weren't for Meghan.
“No, the answer to your question is no,” Prince Harry replied. “I wouldn't have been able to because I, myself, was trapped.”
He then explained, “Trapped within the system, like the rest of my family are. My father and my brother, they are trapped. They don't get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.”
Prince Harry also told Oprah how he thinks his mom, Princess Diana, would react to all these.
“I think she saw it coming and I certainly felt her presence throughout this whole process.”
12. Prince Harry and Meghan are now financially independent
In their tell-all exclusive interview with Oprah, Prince Harry talked about being financially independent after their royal exit. He said, “I've got all my mom left me and without that we wouldn't have been able to do this.”
He also said that the deals he had with Spotify and Netflix weren't planned but have come to fruition out of necessity.
13. Prince Harry and Meghan are having a baby girl!
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will welcome their second child this summer. And the happiest revelation they shared with Oprah is that Archie is going to have a baby sister soon.
The royal couple also revealed that they don't plan to have more children after the birth of their daughter.
Prince Harry said, “We've got our family. We've got, you know, four of us, and our two dogs and it's great.”
Although the whole world has been talking non-stop about the explosive tell-all interview of the royal couple with Oprah Winfrey, the palace has yet to respond to the jaw-dropping revelations of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
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Check out also the gallery of royals who relinquished their titles.