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Meghan and Harry Oprah interview live: couple claim palace failed to protect them Meghan and Harry Oprah interview live: couple claim palace failed to protect them
(32 minutes later)
Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak of personal rifts with other members of the royal family in two-hour special with Oprah WinfreyDuke and Duchess of Sussex speak of personal rifts with other members of the royal family in two-hour special with Oprah Winfrey
A friend of the Duke of Sussex who fundraised for the royal Heads Together mental health campaign said he found it “uncomfortable” to hear the Duchess of Sussex say she did not get help for her own struggles when she asked for it. Dean Stott, who has known Harry for more than a decade after they met during military training, described the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey as “powerful” and “honest”. Meghan told Winfrey she had got to the stage where she “just didn’t want to be alive any more”. When she turned to the institution of the monarchy for help, her request was turned down, she said. “I went to the institution and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help,” she said. “I said that I’ve never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.” Stott said it was “very difficult” to hear how Meghan’s struggles had been handled.
I am running the live blog, bringing you updates on the reaction to Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview. Please share any comments or news tips with me via the channels below.I am running the live blog, bringing you updates on the reaction to Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview. Please share any comments or news tips with me via the channels below.
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Dean Stott, who has known the Duke of Sussex for more than a decade after they met during military training, described the interview as “powerful”, “honest” and “uncomfortable at times”. He told BBC Breakfast that people have to be clear about “the distinction between the royal family and the institution”. He said: “The royal family, you know, Meghan only had praise for them. However the institution and the officials, I think they’re the ones that have come up quite badly in this interview.” He said he does not think Harry will regret doing the interview, adding: “Obviously something needed to be said.” “I came away from watching it actually having sympathy for the royal family,” he said. “They don’t have a voice. “When Harry mentions that they (other members) are trapped, that’s very uncomfortable to hear.”Dean Stott, who has known the Duke of Sussex for more than a decade after they met during military training, described the interview as “powerful”, “honest” and “uncomfortable at times”. He told BBC Breakfast that people have to be clear about “the distinction between the royal family and the institution”. He said: “The royal family, you know, Meghan only had praise for them. However the institution and the officials, I think they’re the ones that have come up quite badly in this interview.” He said he does not think Harry will regret doing the interview, adding: “Obviously something needed to be said.” “I came away from watching it actually having sympathy for the royal family,” he said. “They don’t have a voice. “When Harry mentions that they (other members) are trapped, that’s very uncomfortable to hear.”
Anti-monarchy group Republic said an honest debate about the future of the institution is needed following the revelations in the Oprah Winfrey interview. Graham Smith from the campaign group said: “The monarchy has just been hit by its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936. Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go. “Some people will say ‘well you would say that’, but this interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values. “Most people in the UK don’t give a second thought to the royals, they’re just not that interested. The monarchy is tolerated because of a carefully managed but dishonest image that’s been created over the past few decades. “Now people are getting a much clearer picture of what the monarchy is really like. And it doesn’t look good. With the Queen likely to be replaced by King Charles during this decade the position of the monarchy has rarely looked weaker. “We now need honesty in the monarchy debate that has been sorely lacking until now.” He said there must be honest about “the democratic alternative”. He added: “Britain is better than this. We deserve better than this. The monarchy will always be part of our history. It mustn’t be part of our future.”Anti-monarchy group Republic said an honest debate about the future of the institution is needed following the revelations in the Oprah Winfrey interview. Graham Smith from the campaign group said: “The monarchy has just been hit by its worst crisis since the abdication in 1936. Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals this rotten institution needs to go. “Some people will say ‘well you would say that’, but this interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values. “Most people in the UK don’t give a second thought to the royals, they’re just not that interested. The monarchy is tolerated because of a carefully managed but dishonest image that’s been created over the past few decades. “Now people are getting a much clearer picture of what the monarchy is really like. And it doesn’t look good. With the Queen likely to be replaced by King Charles during this decade the position of the monarchy has rarely looked weaker. “We now need honesty in the monarchy debate that has been sorely lacking until now.” He said there must be honest about “the democratic alternative”. He added: “Britain is better than this. We deserve better than this. The monarchy will always be part of our history. It mustn’t be part of our future.”
The UK is waking up today to news that an unnamed royal made racist remarks, suggestions the royal family were jealous of Meghan and revelations that Meghan Markle contemplated taking her own life while pregnant. Meghan and Harry hit out at the institution and members of the royal family in a series of astonishing admissions during their candid Oprah Winfrey interview. Appearing vulnerable at times, the duchess revealed that working for The Firm - as the royal family is sometimes known - ultimately left her feeling that ending her life was an option, and how she had not been protected by the monarchy.The UK is waking up today to news that an unnamed royal made racist remarks, suggestions the royal family were jealous of Meghan and revelations that Meghan Markle contemplated taking her own life while pregnant. Meghan and Harry hit out at the institution and members of the royal family in a series of astonishing admissions during their candid Oprah Winfrey interview. Appearing vulnerable at times, the duchess revealed that working for The Firm - as the royal family is sometimes known - ultimately left her feeling that ending her life was an option, and how she had not been protected by the monarchy.
Asked explicitly by Winfrey if she was thinking of self-harm and having suicidal thoughts at some stage, Meghan replied: “Yes. This was very, very clear. “Very clear and very scary. I didn’t know who to turn to in that.” A member of the royal family - who both Harry and Meghan refused to identify - was worried about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born. Meghan told Winfrey there had been “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born”. Harry suggested his family were jealous of Meghan’s popularity with the public - just as the appeal of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, had reportedly been seen as a threat. And he revealed he has become estranged from his father, the Prince of Wales, saying: “I feel really let down”, but added that he would make it one of his priorities “to try and heal that relationship”. Describing how she had been misrepresented in the press, Meghan said the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry ahead of her wedding - the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the Sussexes’ nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting. In a lighter moment, the couple, who announced in February that they are expecting their second child, said they are due to have a baby girl in the summer. They also disclosed that they were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before their formal ceremony. Life behind palace doors has not been exposed to this degree since the days of the “War of the Waleses”, when the turmoil of Charles and Diana’s disintegrating marriage was laid bare in the 1990s. Meghan told Winfrey she had got to the stage where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore”. When she turned to the institution of the monarchy for help, her request was turned down. “I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. “I said that I’ve never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”Asked explicitly by Winfrey if she was thinking of self-harm and having suicidal thoughts at some stage, Meghan replied: “Yes. This was very, very clear. “Very clear and very scary. I didn’t know who to turn to in that.” A member of the royal family - who both Harry and Meghan refused to identify - was worried about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born. Meghan told Winfrey there had been “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born”. Harry suggested his family were jealous of Meghan’s popularity with the public - just as the appeal of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, had reportedly been seen as a threat. And he revealed he has become estranged from his father, the Prince of Wales, saying: “I feel really let down”, but added that he would make it one of his priorities “to try and heal that relationship”. Describing how she had been misrepresented in the press, Meghan said the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry ahead of her wedding - the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the Sussexes’ nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting. In a lighter moment, the couple, who announced in February that they are expecting their second child, said they are due to have a baby girl in the summer. They also disclosed that they were married by the Archbishop of Canterbury three days before their formal ceremony. Life behind palace doors has not been exposed to this degree since the days of the “War of the Waleses”, when the turmoil of Charles and Diana’s disintegrating marriage was laid bare in the 1990s. Meghan told Winfrey she had got to the stage where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore”. When she turned to the institution of the monarchy for help, her request was turned down. “I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help. “I said that I’ve never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”
Children’s minister Vicky Ford has also spoken to BBC Breakfast, saying there is “no place for racism in our society” after the Duchess of Sussex said an un-named royal raised concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born. She said that she had not seen the interview but added: “There’s no place for racism in our society and we all need to work together to stop it.”Children’s minister Vicky Ford has also spoken to BBC Breakfast, saying there is “no place for racism in our society” after the Duchess of Sussex said an un-named royal raised concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born. She said that she had not seen the interview but added: “There’s no place for racism in our society and we all need to work together to stop it.”
Children’s minister Vicky Ford has spoken to Sky news about the interview. The shadow education secretary Kate Green also told the broadcaster that claims of racism in the royal family are: “Really distressing, shocking”. She added that they must be “treated by the palace with the utmost seriousness and investigated”.Children’s minister Vicky Ford has spoken to Sky news about the interview. The shadow education secretary Kate Green also told the broadcaster that claims of racism in the royal family are: “Really distressing, shocking”. She added that they must be “treated by the palace with the utmost seriousness and investigated”.
The Duchess of Sussex said she phones the Queen “just to check-in”. Meghan suggested that stepping down as working royals meant she and Harry did not have to follow royal protocols and could react to family events, like anyone else.The Duchess of Sussex said she phones the Queen “just to check-in”. Meghan suggested that stepping down as working royals meant she and Harry did not have to follow royal protocols and could react to family events, like anyone else.
During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she recalled the first time she met the Queen, describing it as “lovely and easy”.During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she recalled the first time she met the Queen, describing it as “lovely and easy”.
Meghan said when the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to hospital: “I just pick up the phone and I call the Queen - just to check-in.Meghan said when the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to hospital: “I just pick up the phone and I call the Queen - just to check-in.
“That’s what we do, it’s like being able to default to not having to every moment go ‘Is that appropriate?’.”“That’s what we do, it’s like being able to default to not having to every moment go ‘Is that appropriate?’.”
Meghan told Winfrey that “everyone welcomed” her to the royal set-up. She said the Queen gave her “some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace” for the pair’s first joint engagement together, and that the monarch also shared her blanket while travelling together between visits.Meghan told Winfrey that “everyone welcomed” her to the royal set-up. She said the Queen gave her “some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace” for the pair’s first joint engagement together, and that the monarch also shared her blanket while travelling together between visits.
Meghan said the first time she met the Queen at a lunch at Royal Lodge, Windsor, Harry asked her if she knew how to curtsey.Meghan said the first time she met the Queen at a lunch at Royal Lodge, Windsor, Harry asked her if she knew how to curtsey.
Hello, everyone. I am taking over the blog, so please share any comments or news tips with me via the channels below.Hello, everyone. I am taking over the blog, so please share any comments or news tips with me via the channels below.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. Thanks for following along.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. Thanks for following along.
Phew. A lot happened. In a nutshell: extraordinary revelations interspersed with soothing scenes featuring rescue chickens.Phew. A lot happened. In a nutshell: extraordinary revelations interspersed with soothing scenes featuring rescue chickens.
Oprah interviewed the couple briefly at their Santa Barbara home. The interview took place in and around a chicken coop. Oprah held a carton of eggs. Meghan held a small wire basket of eggs. A sign on the chicken coop said “Archie’s chickens”.Oprah interviewed the couple briefly at their Santa Barbara home. The interview took place in and around a chicken coop. Oprah held a carton of eggs. Meghan held a small wire basket of eggs. A sign on the chicken coop said “Archie’s chickens”.
Proof:Proof:
New parts from the interview will air on Monday morning starting at 7am US Eastern Time on Monday, CBS says, on the show “CBS This Morning” (the show co-hosted by Oprah’s close friend Gayle King).New parts from the interview will air on Monday morning starting at 7am US Eastern Time on Monday, CBS says, on the show “CBS This Morning” (the show co-hosted by Oprah’s close friend Gayle King).
In case you missed this important take:In case you missed this important take:
Bryony Gordon, the British journalist and mental health campaigner who interviewed Prince Harry about his own mental health in 2017 – when Harry revealed that he sought counselling after 20 years of bottling up his grief over his mother’s death – has tweeted her support for Meghan.Bryony Gordon, the British journalist and mental health campaigner who interviewed Prince Harry about his own mental health in 2017 – when Harry revealed that he sought counselling after 20 years of bottling up his grief over his mother’s death – has tweeted her support for Meghan.
Gordon called the revelations that Meghan at one stage felt she “didn’t want to be alive any more”, which the duchess shared during the Oprah interview, “incredibly brave, let alone to an audience of billions”:Gordon called the revelations that Meghan at one stage felt she “didn’t want to be alive any more”, which the duchess shared during the Oprah interview, “incredibly brave, let alone to an audience of billions”:
Also, Oprah:Also, Oprah:
Here is the short version of what we learned from Oprah’s interview with Meghan and Harry:Here is the short version of what we learned from Oprah’s interview with Meghan and Harry:
Meghan said that she reached a point where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very real and clear and frightening and constant thought.”Meghan said that she reached a point where she “just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very real and clear and frightening and constant thought.”
Meghan said that Harry was asked by the family how dark Archie’s skin might be. Oprah asked Meghan why they didn’t want to make Archie a prince. In the months leading up to Archie’s birth, there were not only conversations about how he would not be given a title, and there would not be security, but also about how dark her baby’s skin might be and “what that would mean or look like”, says Meghan. The conversation was had between Harry and a member or members of his family. It was relayed to her by Harry. Neither Meghan nor Harry would say whom the conversation was with.Meghan said that Harry was asked by the family how dark Archie’s skin might be. Oprah asked Meghan why they didn’t want to make Archie a prince. In the months leading up to Archie’s birth, there were not only conversations about how he would not be given a title, and there would not be security, but also about how dark her baby’s skin might be and “what that would mean or look like”, says Meghan. The conversation was had between Harry and a member or members of his family. It was relayed to her by Harry. Neither Meghan nor Harry would say whom the conversation was with.
Harry said Diana would be “angry and sad” at how things worked out. Oprah asked what Harry thought Diana would say about the couple stepping back. “I think she would feel very angry and sad at how this all panned out. But I think all she would ever want would be for us to be happy.”Harry said Diana would be “angry and sad” at how things worked out. Oprah asked what Harry thought Diana would say about the couple stepping back. “I think she would feel very angry and sad at how this all panned out. But I think all she would ever want would be for us to be happy.”
Harry has been cut off financially since the first half of 2020. The only money he has, besides extremely lucrative deals with companies including Netflix, is what was left to him by Princess Diana.Harry has been cut off financially since the first half of 2020. The only money he has, besides extremely lucrative deals with companies including Netflix, is what was left to him by Princess Diana.
Prince Charles at one point stopped taking Harry’s calls, but the pair are now speaking again. Harry says he still feels “really let down” by Prince Charles.Prince Charles at one point stopped taking Harry’s calls, but the pair are now speaking again. Harry says he still feels “really let down” by Prince Charles.
It’s a girl. The couple are due to welcome a baby girl to the world some time later in the US summer. This will be their last child, they said.It’s a girl. The couple are due to welcome a baby girl to the world some time later in the US summer. This will be their last child, they said.
Meghan and Harry were married three days before the royal wedding. Three days before the royal wedding, Meghan and Harry got married, just them and the priest. “Nobody knows this,” said Meghan.Meghan and Harry were married three days before the royal wedding. Three days before the royal wedding, Meghan and Harry got married, just them and the priest. “Nobody knows this,” said Meghan.
Meghan said she never made the Duchess of Cambridge cry, but that Kate had made Meghan cry. It was reported in British tabloids months after the wedding that Meghan made Kate cry over flower girl dresses. Actually, says Meghan, the “reverse happened”. Kate in fact made Meghan cry over something to do with flower girl dresses. But Kate apologised at the time and brought flowers.Meghan said she never made the Duchess of Cambridge cry, but that Kate had made Meghan cry. It was reported in British tabloids months after the wedding that Meghan made Kate cry over flower girl dresses. Actually, says Meghan, the “reverse happened”. Kate in fact made Meghan cry over something to do with flower girl dresses. But Kate apologised at the time and brought flowers.
The couple still talk to the Queen and have enormous respect for her. The Queen made Meghan feel very welcome and they shared a blanket while riding in a coach.The couple still talk to the Queen and have enormous respect for her. The Queen made Meghan feel very welcome and they shared a blanket while riding in a coach.
There were chickens. Oprah interviewed the couple briefly at their Santa Barbara home. The interview took place in and around a chicken coop. Oprah held a carton of eggs. Meghan held a small basket of eggs. A sign on the chicken coop said “Archie’s chickens”.There were chickens. Oprah interviewed the couple briefly at their Santa Barbara home. The interview took place in and around a chicken coop. Oprah held a carton of eggs. Meghan held a small basket of eggs. A sign on the chicken coop said “Archie’s chickens”.