Why Prince Harry decided to do controversial Oprah interview with Meghan Markle four years on
The Oprah interview aired on March 7 in 2021Today marks four years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive Oprah interview aired following their exit from royal life.
On March 7, 2021, the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey aired and it saw them make a string of explosive allegations about the monarchy.
Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, discussed their experiences within the royal family and why they decided to step down from their senior royal roles.
But why did Prince Harry and Meghan decide to do the tell-all interview in the first place? Let’s take a look at what the Duke of Sussex said.
Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to do Oprah Winfrey interview
Later in 2021, Prince Harry revealed why they wanted to speak about their experiences in the interview.
In his mental health series, The Me You Can’t See, on Apple TV+, Harry said he and Meghan became “able to speak truth” in the interview.
The interview was about being real, being authentic.
The Apple TV+ series saw Harry and Oprah team up again as they discussed mental health alongside some other celebs including Lady Gaga.
In episode five, Harry said of the Oprah chat: “I like to think that we were able to speak truth in the most compassionate way possible, therefore leaving an opening for reconciliation and healing.
“The interview was about being real, being authentic, and hopefully sharing an experience that we know is incredibly relatable around the world, despite our unique privileged position.”
However, Harry also revealed the impact coverage of the interview had on Meghan.
He said: “I was woken up in the middle of the night to her crying into her pillow, because she doesn’t want to wake me up, because I’m already carrying too much. That’s heartbreaking.
“I held her, we talked, she cried and she cried and she cried.”
In their Oprah interview, Harry and Meghan made a string of claims about the royal family. One in particular sparked outrage online.
Harry and Meghan’s allegations in Oprah interview
The couple alleged that there were “concerns and conversations” within the family about “how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be when he’s born.
Meghan also said she felt suicidal whilst pregnant with Archie. She claimed that her request to receive help became denied by senior palace officials. She claimed she was told “it wouldn’t be good for the institution”.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry claimed his family cut off security protection and financial support in “the first quarter” of 2020 – after they stepped down from duties.
He also described his father King Charles and brother Prince William as being “trapped within the system”.
Royal family’s statement on Harry and Meghan’s Oprah claims
At the time, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Harry and Meghan have become estranged from the royal family since they stepped back from their roles. The Oprah chat reportedly strained relations even more.
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