Meghan and Harry empty their bag
In a historic interview, the first the couple has granted since leaving Britain, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry broke with the traditional reserve of British royalty. Racism, suicidal ideation, family conflicts, control, money: all subjects were discussed without taboos in this two-hour interview broadcast by CBS on Sunday evening. We don't call Oprah Winfrey the interview queen for nothing. Here are the highlights of these explosive confidences.
The color of Archie's skin
This is undoubtedly the most damaging revelation for the British royal family: From the start of their relationship, and then during Meghan Markle's first pregnancy, members of the royal family told Prince Harry of their concern about the color of the skin of the future child. The couple were also told that unlike Prince Charles's other grandchildren, he or she would not be entitled to the title of prince or princess or the protection to which members of royalty are entitled.
" Who told you that ? How did they tell you? Oprah Winfrey asked several times during the interview. But the couple declined to give more details about the talks. "It would be too damaging for those concerned," replied Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle wanted to die
It was after returning from their first official trip to Australia and New Zealand that things started to turn sour for Meghan Markle. The young woman felt dumped by the royal family and felt like she had lost her identity. The British press was particularly aggressive towards him, and the pressure on the couple was strong. “I was pregnant, I was not well, I asked the institution for help, but I was told that nothing could be done for me. He was also reportedly made to understand that asking for psychological help could damage the image of the royal family. "I was ashamed to tell Harry about it, he has already suffered so much [from the death of his mother, Princess Diana]. But I didn't want to go on living anymore. It was a thought that was still there. She said after finally confiding in her husband, she accompanied him to an official party. “I couldn't be left alone that night,” she explained in tears. Ultimately, it was one of Diana's friends who helped her through this dark period.
Meghan left on her own
Throughout the interview, Meghan Markle insisted that she never felt protected by the institution that manages the affairs of the royal family. When she was the victim of racist and sexist or false attacks in the tabloids, no one stood up for her. “They were willing to lie to protect other family members, but not to protect me or my husband. Markle told Oprah Winfrey that she had been asked to be quiet.
The Megxit
The couple discussed their reasons for moving to California, thanks to Diana's legacy. If Harry decided to leave the royal family, it was because he realized he was "a prisoner" when he didn't know he was. “We left because we never received support and understanding,” the couple said. Prince Harry said he resented his father for not showing more understanding given he had gone through a similar experience in his life.
The Crown
"Have you watched The Crown?" Oprah Winfrey asked the couple who responded, looking a little embarrassed, having "looked at a few bits" of it. The host went on to point out the similarities between Diana's trip to Australia and Meghan's, with the two women equally enjoying "connecting" with the crowd. "This is history repeating itself," said Prince Harry. At another point in the interview, he explained that he was able to move to California because of his mother's legacy. “It's like she knows what's going to happen. When he talks about his childhood and living with the royal family, Prince Harry repeats that he felt trapped there.
Relations with the royal family
Regardless, Prince Harry assures us that he talks to his grandmother regularly and that he has even set up video conference calls with her and her son Archie. Meghan Markle, she insists on how welcoming and warm Queen Elizabeth II has always been to her. It’s more difficult with other family members. Prince Charles refused to take his son's calls for some time. “My priority today is to mend this relationship,” said Harry. We understand that it is more distant with his brother William.
The argument with Kate?
The famous dispute reported by the British tabloids is false, according to Meghan Markle. No, she didn't make her sister-in-law Kate Middleton cry. The opposite would have happened. It was Kate who made him cry during an argument over flower girl dresses for her wedding. The Duchess of Sussex declined to say more, saying Kate apologized. "He's a good person," she insisted.
A secret wedding
"Nobody knows this, but we have asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to marry us before the official wedding," said Meghan Markle. The couple got married in secret, in their garden, three days before the public ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor.
It's a girl !
Meghan Markle, who is due to give birth next summer, waited for her husband to join her for the second part of the interview before revealing the sex of the child she is carrying: it's a girl! "It's amazing, I am so grateful," Prince Harry said. What more can I ask for? A son, a daughter, two dogs… "We could also see the couple, in casual clothes, on the grounds of their house, in the Santa Barbara region, surrounded by their chickens and their dogs. The more formal interview was filmed several weeks ago in the garden of host Gayle King, a longtime friend of Oprah Winfrey, in compliance with all the health rules imposed by the pandemic, insisted on saying the host, who also clarified that the couple had not been paid and had not received any questions in advance.
Elizabeth II in defense of the monarchy
For its part, the British monarchy had decided to face the threat of this meeting, offering a few hours before the Sussex intervention the image of a united family during the annual celebrations of the Commonwealth. In a pre-recorded televised speech, the Queen underlined the importance of the "selfless dedication and sense of duty" shown by caregivers during the pandemic, a sign that some are sure to interpret as a criticism of the princely couple. .
According to a source close to the Queen quoted by The Sunday Times, Elizabeth II was not planning to watch her grandson's interview and will be more in the media next week to show that the monarchy "is focused on important issues." The newspaper also indicates that members of the court, who did not hesitate to call the interview a "circus", are preparing to retaliate "with new revelations" on the behavior of the couple if the monarchy is attacked.
Harry and Meghan, from London to California
After confirming their final withdrawal from the royal family to the Queen, after a period of observation, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, married since May 2018, lost their last official titles in February. Installed in Canada, then in California, in Montecito, since March, the duo have already resolutely taken the tangent and capitalized on their image of modern couple, mixed, turned towards the humanitarian, in a country where the opinion is much more to them. favorable than in England. Since their move, the couple have created their foundation, Archewell, and have notably committed to producing programs for Netflix, for $ 100 million, according to several American media, and podcasts for Spotify. Added to this is an announced partnership with the Apple TV + platform, in collaboration with US presenter Oprah Winfrey, who conducted Sunday's interview. The couple are worth gold and "Oprah" sold, according to the Wall Street Journal, this interview between 7 and 9 million dollars to CBS, while retaining the international rights, source of significant income because a good part of the planet was waiting for this television event.
