On Sunday, March 7 CBS aired Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first TV interview since leaving the royal family. The special was hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and it allowed Markle and the prince to speak their truth about their life in the royal family.
The two hour interview focused mostly on Markle’s discussion with Winfrey, and Prince Harry joined his wife towards the end of the special. Viewers also got a behind the scenes look at the couple’s new home in California. While the interview allowed viewers to see the happy couple living a normal life away from England, many new issues surround the Royal family and their treatment of Markle were brought to the forefront. Here are some important takeaways from the blockbuster interview.
The details of the couple’s split from the royal family
On January 8, 2020, the world shook as Markle and Prince Harry announced that they would be stepping back as “senior” members of the royal family. About a month ago, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not be returning to their royal roles.
When Winfrey asked Markle and the prince if they quit as working members of the royal family because they were asking for help and could not get it, Prince Harry’s response was, “Yeah, basically.” The couple also reiterated that they never actually left the family but simply stepped back from their official roles.
In the time after the announcement was, the media speculated that Queen Elizabeth II, Harry’s grandmother, was blindsided by the couple’s decision. “I’ve never blindsided my grandmother, I have too much respect for her,” Harry stated. The prince also stated that he spoke with the queen multiple times before making the announcement.
Overall, viewers learned that Harry was mostly concerned with Markle’s safety. “My biggest concern was history repeating itself,” Harry stated. He also added that he saw the circumstances surrounding his mother, Princess Diana, unfolding again and being elevated due to the addition of racism and social media.
Markle had suicidal thoughts
During the interview, Markle stated that her mental health suffered during her time with the royal family. According to CNN, “She revealed that life within the royal family was so isolating and lonely, and that she felt so unsupported by the institution, that she contemplated suicide while pregnant with her son Archie.”
Markle also went on to say that she addressed her issues with the “institution”, but felt unprotected by them.
I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help, I said I’d never felt this way before … and I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.
Markle when asked about what happened when she went to the “institution” with her struggles
The duchess stated that she told Harry about the ordeal at home one day. Hours later, the couple had to attend an event in London. Markle insisted that she attended the event, even after Harry suggested she stay at home.
Harry also said that he did not discuss the topic with other family members. “That’s just not a conversation that would be had,” the prince stated during the interview.
There were concerns about Archie’s skin color
One of the most shocking moments of the interview came when Markle stated that while she was pregnant with her son Archie, there were concerns within the royal family about her baby’s skin tone. She told Winfrey that an unnamed member of the family brought up the issue of how dark Archie’s skin would be.
The duchess went on to say that the information was relayed to her by Harry, and that she was not involved in the conversations. The prince described that, “At the time, it was awkward, I was a bit shocked.”
Winfrey also asked if he could share the questions that came up during the conversation or the person that initiated the conversations, but Harry declined. On Monday after the interview aired, Winfrey told CBS that Harry stated that the royal with these concerns was not the queen or Prince Phillip.
Moreover, in another part of the special, Harry criticized the royal family for failing to support the couple when several British lawmakers pointed out “colonial undertones” in the way the Markle was covered in the British press.
The couple’s current relationships with the royal family
During the interview, the couple spoke highly of the queen, contrasting to how other senior members of the royal family were portrayed. Harry explained that the couple has spoken to her majesty several times since their move to the U.S., and he went on to say that, “My grandmother and I have a really good relationship, and an understanding and I have a deep respect for her.”
However, Harry also admitted that his relationships with his brother, Prince William, and his father, Prince Charles, are less positive. The prince stated that he had two conversations with Charles before he stopped taking his calls.
I love William to bits, he’s my brother, we’ve been through hell together … but we’re on different paths … the relationship is space at the moment … time heals all things — hopefully.
Prince Harry when asked about his relationship with his brother, Prince William
Harry expressed that his family cut him off financially in the first quarter of 2020. After Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not be returning to their royal roles, it was also stated that Markle and Harry will no longer keep their patronages and that the prince will lose his honorary military appointments.
Their lives today
Although life in the royal family had many downfalls for the couple, they have been able to make the best of their new life away from Britain. In March 2020, Markle and Harry moved to Los Angeles with their son Archie, and Tyler Perry allowed the couple to stay in his Beverly Hills mansion. Over the summer, the duke and duchess moved into a mansion in the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara.
During this time, they have also announced partnerships with Spotify and Netflix. The couple also recently announced that they will be expecting a baby girl this summer.
Overall, the interview revealed many shocking secrets about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s turbulent life while in the royal family. It is obvious to say that millions of people, inside and outside of the U.K., wish the couple their best in all of their upcoming adventures as a normal family in California.
THE WARRIOR WORD 