Interview with Meghan and Harry: reactions are raining down in the world
Reactions to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview about their time in the British royal family ranged from those who saw it as "truly noble" to those who accused it of "selfish nonsense."
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, spoke about the difficulties of living in the royal family in an interview with star TV host Oprah Winfrey.
The highly anticipated interview sparked a shower of reactions in many parts of the world.
Reactions in the United States
In the United States, the majority expressed understanding for the difficult situation of the couple and the decision to leave the royal family.
Tennis star Serena Williams said she was "proud" of her "selfless friend" Meghan, of whom she said she lives by example "with empathy and compassion."
"She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty that she has experienced," Williams said.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) March 8, 2021
Poet and activist Amanda Gorman said the royal family "lost" Meghan as an "opportunity for change, regeneration and reconciliation in a new era."
Meghan was the Crown's greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn't just maltreat her light--they missed out on it.
— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) March 8, 2021
"Royalty is not a shield against the devastation and despair of racism," she tweeted in support of Bernice King, daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Royalty is not a shield from the devastation and despair of racism. #MeghanMarkle
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) March 8, 2021
UK reacts
British broadcaster and morning show host Piers Morgan took a less friendly tone on Twitter, writing: "This interview is an absolutely disgraceful betrayal of the Queen and the Royal Family. All this vile and destructive nonsense from Meghan Markle was to be expected, but Harry letting her end her family and the Monarchy in this way is shameful. "
He also asked if it was "too late" for an Oscar nomination for Meghan, her comment implying that she was acting in the interview.
Is it too late for Oscar nominations? #meghan
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 8, 2021
Dan Wooton, former executive editor of the famous British tabloid newspaper The Sun, said: "Make no mistake, Meghan just declared war on the Royal Family."
"Surely they should now give up their duke and duchess titles?" he asked.
Harry and Meghan have blown up their relationship with the Royal Family, especially Charles and William, in the Oprah tell-all.
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) March 8, 2021
Hard to see a reconciliation given they have branded the royals racist and uncaring.
Surely they should now renounce their titles as Duke and Duchess?
The Daily Mail, another British tabloid, blamed Meghan with the headline: "Meghan accuses Palace of racism."
UK Minister for Children and Families Vicky Ford focused on Meghan's accusation of racism, telling Sky News: "There is absolutely no place for racism in our society."
Charles Anson, who was the Queen's press secretary from 1990 to 1997, denied Meghan's claims of racism in comments to the British public broadcaster BBC.
"I don't think there is an offshoot of racism within the royal house," Anson said.
Will Queen Elizabeth make a statement?
Queen Elizabeth II, the 94-year-old monarch of the British royal family, is not likely to comment. British newspaper The Times reported that the queen herself does not plan to see the interview.
Birgit Maass, a London correspondent for DW, said it was unclear whether Buckingham Palace would make an official statement. "There would only be a statement if individual members of the palace were attacked," she said. However, the couple were careful to avoid naming people during the interview. "It is a difficult situation for the House of Windsor," Maass said.
There will be fear in the royal family that it may be affected, but the queen is still someone who is very popular as head of state, "Maass said, adding that questions remain about the future of the royal family near the end of The Reign of Isabel.
The world reacts
In New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a journalist that the interview would not change the country's constitutional ties to Britain as a member of the British Commonwealth.
"I've said before that I haven't felt New Zealanders' appetite for a significant change in our constitutional arrangements, and I don't expect that to change quickly," she said Ardern.
Interview broadcast amid reports of bullying
The interview aired shortly after Buckingham Palace announced that it is investigating allegations that the Duchess had intimidated members of her staff in 2018, forcing two of them to resign.
Hostility between the palace and Meghan and Harry has been on the rise since they announced plans to retire from their senior official royal duties in early 2020.
