Meghan and Harry interviewed by Oprah Winfrey: the 10 shocking confessions
The interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry conducted by Oprah Winfrey brought its share of revelations and shocking confidences. Here are the 10 moments to remember.
Sunday March 7, 2021, the American channel CBS broadcast the big interview of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Faced with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex reconsidered their departure from the British monarchy, making behind-the-scenes revelations of this explosive 'split' and sharing some shocking confessions, as the war of words with Buckingham Palace is openly launched for several days. Here are the 10 moments to remember.
1. Rumors of disagreement with Kate Middleton
At the start of the show, Meghan was alone in front of Oprah, starting the interview by discussing the attacks she was subjected to with the British tabloid press. This is how the Duchess explained that the rumor that she made Kate Middleton cry at her wedding marked "a breaking point". Meghan explained that this rumor, released several months after the princely nuptials, was false ... and that it was Kate Middleton who made her cry at her own wedding. “The reverse has happened. I'm not saying this to disparage anyone, because it was a really tough week, and she was upset about something. But she admitted what happened and apologized, she offered me flowers and sent me a letter begging for forgiveness, ”she said, confirming that the litigation was over. was worn over the dresses of the bridesmaids. “It made me cry, it really hurt me,” she said. Meghan also assured that there was no hard feelings and that Kate was "a good person".
2. Secret marriage
Meghan told Oprah that she and Harry were intimately married before the princely nuptials on May 19, 2018. “Three days before the wedding, we got married. No one knows that. We called the Archbishop and we said to him: "You know, this great spectacle is for the world, but we want our union to be celebrated between us" ", she confided.
3. No protection for Archie
While pregnant with Archie, Meghan revealed that she was shocked to learn that her son would not be protected by the royal institution, due to the fact that he would not receive a princely title. “They said they didn't want him to be a prince (...), which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to be given security. It was very hard, ”she said, adding that neither she nor Harry had objected to the idea of Archie being given a princely title. “I was telling them (Archie) had to be protected. (...) He must be safe, ”added Meghan. "We told you that your son, the queen's great-grandson, would not be a prince, that he would have no protection, what explanations do we give you for that?" Oprah asked. "Any. There was no explanation, ”Meghan replied. “Was it important to you that Archie had a princely title?” Asked Winfrey. "If that meant he would be safe, then yes of course. (...) The idea that our son is not protected, and the idea that he is the first member of color in this family, who does not have the same rights as other grandchildren ”has was confusing for her and Harry, she said.
4. The skin color of future Sussex children was "a subject"
Oprah went on to ask Meghan why she thought everything was done so that Archie didn't get the title. She admitted that "around the same time, we had a group conversation (with members of the institution, editor's note) about the fact that Archie would not receive security, that he would not receive a title ... And also there were concerns and conversations about his skin color when he was born, ”she said. The conversations about Archie's skin were "relayed to him by Harry, these are conversations the family had with him," she continued. "Were there any concerns that if it was too dark it would be a problem?" Oprah asked. “If that's your assumption, I think it's a good one,” Meghan replied.
Later, when Harry joined them for the interview, he confirmed the information, however declining to elaborate. “It's a conversation I'll never share. It was strange, I was in shock ”. "If we had had the support (of the royal family), we would still be (in London)," he said even later.
6. A little sister for Archie
The Sussexes have announced together that they are expecting a baby girl who will be born "this summer".
7. "Trapped in the system"
Harry assured for his part that he was "trapped" when he lived within the royal family and that his meeting with Meghan allowed him to open his eyes. “I was trapped but I didn't know I was trapped. Trapped in the system with the rest of the family. My father and my brother are trapped. They are not allowed to leave and I have a lot of compassion for them, ”he said. He also assured that, contrary to what had been reported in the press, he and Meghan had not "taken aback" the queen when they announced to the public their departure from the royal family, and that she had been informed beforehand. Harry also summed up the reasons for their departure: "A lack of support and understanding". "From the royal family or from the tabloid press?" Oprah asked. “Both,” Harry replied.
8. Relations with the royal family
The Duke was asked about his relationship with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William. Of the Sovereign, Harry replied: "I have spoken to my grandmother more in the past year than in many years ... My grandmother and I have a very good relationship ... She is my colonel-in-chief ”.
Regarding his father, the heir paused before answering. “I feel really disappointed. (...) I will always love him but a lot of damage has been done and trying to mend this relationship will be one of my priorities, ”he said. Before that, he claimed that his father had "stopped answering (his) phone calls" during the period he was negotiating his departure from the royal family. Harry reassured Oprah, however, that they were in contact again.
Regarding his brother, the Duke of Sussex replied: “I love William. It is my brother. We went through hell together. But we are on different paths. (...) The definition of our relationship is space. Hopefully, time heals all things ”.
Harry also imagined what his mother Lady Diana would say about this whole situation. "I think she would feel very angry and very sad for the way it turned out, but ultimately all she would want is for us to be happy."
9. Cut off food
The Duke of Sussex has revealed that the royal family stopped supporting him financially in early 2020, when he moved to North America with his wife. Harry explained that at first he had managed to pay for their security with the money he had inherited from Diana. With Meghan, they then signed multi-million dollar contracts with Spotify and Netflix that saw them earn their first incomes.
10. "We survived"
At the end of the interview, Oprah Winfrey asked Harry if he had any “regrets”. "No. I am really proud of us. I am so proud of my wife. She brought Archie into the world safely during such a cruel and mean time. Every day (...) she cried while breastfeeding Archie. Today I know we have tried everything and made the best decision, ”he said. Meghan replied: 'My regret was to believe them when they said I would be protected. I regret because if I had known I could have done more. (...) Now, (...) we have not only survived, but we have also prospered ”.
