Meghan Markle accuses the royal family of racism and says she thought about suicide
During a long-awaited interview, broadcast on 'CBS', the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, accused the British royal family of racism and said that she had had suicidal thoughts during her first pregnancy. Markle said members of the royal family expressed doubts and concerns about the skin color that her first child would have with Prince Harry.
Just a year after the breakup of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with the British Royal Household, the actress assured during an interview, broadcast in the United States on Sunday, that her life as a member of the royal family had become so miserable that he contemplated committing suicide.
And that was just one of the bombs the couple dropped during their two hour interview with Oprah Winfrey. The most shocking statements were made by Markle, who was alone during the first part of the interview, in prime time in the United States.
Today’s the day.
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) March 7, 2021
Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A Primetime Special airs tonight at 8/7c on @CBS. #OprahMeghanHarry pic.twitter.com/hHFppSFrW8
As a headline that will remain in the memory of British society, the Duchess of Sussex portrayed the monarchical institution with a starkness never used with the royal family. A blow to the institution at a tense moment, as the family is focused on the hospitalization and state of health of Prince Phillip.
Concern about your child's skin color
During the pregnancy of her first child, Archie, Buckingham Palace informed the couple that the baby would not have a noble title or the security that this entailed, despite the fact that both were harassed by the national tabloid press. According to the marriage, this is due to the origin of Markle - a black mother and a white father - who claimed that members of the royal family had made racist comments in front of Prince Harry during his pregnancy.
"In the months that I was pregnant there were ... concerns and conversations about how dark her skin could be when she was born," Meghan said.
Her husband corroborated the accusation of racism against royalty, although neither wanted to give names. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also did not want to reveal the full content of that conversation.
"It would be too damaging for them," said Markle, clarifying that the issue was not addressed just once, but several times.
The Duchess of Sussex lamented the racism present in the royal family and pointed out the irony of the situation considering that "the Commonwealth is a huge part of the monarchy and between 60% or 70% of its members are black."
Suicidal tendencies at the Royal Palace
During the four years in which she exercised her monarchical role, the Duchess suffered from mental health problems. She thus revealed it to Winfrey and argued that from Buckingham she turned her back despite repeatedly asking for help
Excited but confident, Meghan spoke about her suicidal thoughts on camera: "I was embarrassed to have to admit it to Harry. I knew if I didn't say it, I would. I just didn't want to stay alive."
Markle said that although her husband was very concerned about her emotional fragility, her efforts to seek medical help were thwarted by officials at the Royal Palace, concerned about the impact that the leak could have on the monarchy. The former actress described herself as a prisoner of Kensington Palace.
"They never did anything, so we had to find a solution," Meghan added, apparently referring to their decision to withdraw from the monarchy and start a new life outside the UK.
Prince Harry disappointed in the royal family
When he intervened in the interview, Prince Harry claimed to be disappointed in the royal family. The prince, who remains sixth in line to the throne, said their access to royal funds was cut off after he and Meghan announced their plans to retire from royalty.
In addition, he said that his relationship with his father had been really affected after his announcement and accused him of having stopped answering his calls in "the hardest moments".
"I feel really disappointed, because he has been through something similar. There has been a lot of pain," said Harry, who hoped that he could "repair the relationship" with his father.
However, the prince denied having decided to leave royalty without discussing it with his grandmother, a rumor widely spread by the British tabloid press. The couple tried to leave Queen Elizabeth out of all the television controversy and both dedicated words of affection to her.
"I would never hide something like that from my grandmother, I have too much respect for her," Prince Harry stated.
He also expressed compassion for his father and his brother, Prince William, hopelessly "trapped" in the system. And he admitted that there is a "great" sentimental distance between Lady Di's children.
In the British press it has transpired that Elizabeth II had no plans to see the interview of her grandson and her wife. At the moment, Buckingham Palace has not commented on the interview.
