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Meghan and Harry Oprah interview live: Duke of Sussex says racism was 'large part' of reason why couple left UK Meghan and Harry Oprah interview live: Duke of Sussex says racism was 'large part' of reason why couple left UK
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Duke of Sussex says racism was ‘large part of’ decision for couple to leave UK in new clip from interview with Oprah WinfreyDuke of Sussex says racism was ‘large part of’ decision for couple to leave UK in new clip from interview with Oprah Winfrey
This just in from our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot.
Prince Harry added, referring to the relationship in which his brother and other royals lived: “With that relationship, and that control and the fear by the UK tabloids, it’s a toxic environment.”
“But I will always be there for him. I will always be there for my family and I have tried to help them to see what has happened,” he added, gesturing to his wife at this point.
“Do other royals see it as a toxic environment?” Winfrey asked, wondering if Prince Charles would see it that way if she were to interview him.
“No, because he has had to make peace with it,” replied Harry.
More clips have been put out by CBS, in which Prince Harry is asked by Winfrey if other members of the royal family had reached out to apologise for the reasons he had to leave.
“The feeling is that this was our decision and therefore the consequences are on us,” he added.
It has been really hard, he said, adding: “I am part of the system, with them. I always have been, but I guess there is, I am very aware of this. My brother can’t leave this system but I have.”
CBS has spoken to Oprah Winfrey, where she talks about the difficulties of getting a three-hour, 20-minute interview into a one-hour, 25-minute TV show. She says the couple did the interview because they felt they had been “lied about for a series of years” and that this was “hurtful” to them.
The hosts of This Morning ask Winfrey about which royal raised the colour of Harry and Meghan’s baby with them. Winfrey says she does not know but that the couple confirmed it was not the Queen or Prince Phillip. “I tried to get that answer from them, on camera and off,” she says.
A further clip is shown where Harry says: “I’m very aware my brother can’t leave that system, but I have.” When asked if William wants to leave, Harry says he cannot speak for him but adds: “It’s a toxic environment but I’ll always be there for him. I’ll be there for my family.”
Meghan then talks about the criticism from the media and says social media turned the situation into a “wild, wild west” and that the “noise level was very different” from previous attacks on members of the royal family. She says she was told by a palace official to expect rude treatment but she rejects this framing. “Rude and racist are not the same,” Meghan says.
Back on the CBS This Morning show, Winfrey says Americans “don’t understand the barrage of daily vitriol and negativity on a consistent basis” that Meghan was subjected to. “It’s a business and she’s a commodity to that business,” she says about the royal family.
Oprah Winfrey has been speaking to CBS about the interview and said that Harry wanted her to know that it had not been the Queen or Prince Philip who had made comments about Archie’s skin colour.Oprah Winfrey has been speaking to CBS about the interview and said that Harry wanted her to know that it had not been the Queen or Prince Philip who had made comments about Archie’s skin colour.
Jonathan Dimbleby, biographer of Prince Charles, has been on BBC Radio 4 and says he cannot believe that the person would have been the heir to the throne.Jonathan Dimbleby, biographer of Prince Charles, has been on BBC Radio 4 and says he cannot believe that the person would have been the heir to the throne.
“I know him. I know him for a long. Time. I have never seen a hint of that,” said the broadcaster “I know him. I know him for a long time. I have never seen a hint of that,” said the broadcaster
“He is someone whose professional personal life has been dedicated to bringing people together, not pulling them apart.”“He is someone whose professional personal life has been dedicated to bringing people together, not pulling them apart.”
Dimbleby had some interesting things also to say about coverage, criticising colleagues at the BBC for not prefacing some of the content from the interview with the word “alleged.” Dimbleby had some interesting things also to say about coverage, criticising colleagues at the BBC for not prefacing some of the content from the interview with the word “alleged”.
There’s also another new clip in which Prince Harry tells how the couple had received a message in which they were told that the Queen was “busy all week,” after the Monarch had invited them to visit her at her Sandringham estate. There’s also another new clip in which Prince Harry tells how the couple had received a message in which they were told that the Queen was “busy all week”, after the monarch had invited them to visit her at her Sandringham estate.
Here’s one of those new CBS clips in which Winfrey is seen asking if the couple had left the UK because of racism.Here’s one of those new CBS clips in which Winfrey is seen asking if the couple had left the UK because of racism.
“It was a large part of it,” replies Prince Harry.“It was a large part of it,” replies Prince Harry.
In new clips from the interview, which are just being aired in the US now by CBS, Oprah Winfrey asks the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if racism was the reason why they left the UK.In new clips from the interview, which are just being aired in the US now by CBS, Oprah Winfrey asks the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if racism was the reason why they left the UK.
There is a long pause before Harry replied: “It was a large part of it.”There is a long pause before Harry replied: “It was a large part of it.”
He recalled a conversation at a dinner where he was told that it will be hard for the couple because the UK is a bigoted country. He said said that the thought British press, rather than the whole country, is bigoted.He recalled a conversation at a dinner where he was told that it will be hard for the couple because the UK is a bigoted country. He said said that the thought British press, rather than the whole country, is bigoted.
A further part of the interview has been shown where the couple are talking about a visit to the UK after their decision to step away from royal duties.A further part of the interview has been shown where the couple are talking about a visit to the UK after their decision to step away from royal duties.
Harry said the Queen had previously invited him to Sandringham but when they landed in the country an aide for the monarch told him, via his private secretary, that “the Queen is busy, busy all week, do not come up here. I didn’t push because I knew what was going on.”Harry said the Queen had previously invited him to Sandringham but when they landed in the country an aide for the monarch told him, via his private secretary, that “the Queen is busy, busy all week, do not come up here. I didn’t push because I knew what was going on.”
“When you are head of the firm people give you advice, and what makes me sad is that some of that advice has been really bad,” Harry says.“When you are head of the firm people give you advice, and what makes me sad is that some of that advice has been really bad,” Harry says.
CBS’s This Morning Show is recapping the network’s explosive interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and is set to air unseen clips.CBS’s This Morning Show is recapping the network’s explosive interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and is set to air unseen clips.
The show is also gathering reaction, with a correspondent shown outside Buckingham Palace brandishing copies of the Daily Mail and the Sun to show what a splash the interview has made on the other side of the Atlantic.The show is also gathering reaction, with a correspondent shown outside Buckingham Palace brandishing copies of the Daily Mail and the Sun to show what a splash the interview has made on the other side of the Atlantic.
Tina Brown, the former Vanity Fair editor and Princess Diana biographer, appears on the show to say the interview is “kryptonite” to the royal family. Brown also echoes the resounding praise in the US for Oprah Winfrey.Tina Brown, the former Vanity Fair editor and Princess Diana biographer, appears on the show to say the interview is “kryptonite” to the royal family. Brown also echoes the resounding praise in the US for Oprah Winfrey.
“Let’s bow down to the real queen here – Oprah,” she said. “What a fantastic interview that was. I think we we will be talking about this interview for 20 years.”“Let’s bow down to the real queen here – Oprah,” she said. “What a fantastic interview that was. I think we we will be talking about this interview for 20 years.”
Outside of the UK and US, how has the rest of the world viewed the interview and its fallout?Outside of the UK and US, how has the rest of the world viewed the interview and its fallout?
In France, Le Monde carries a piece in which its London correspondent reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched “a few unpinned grenades” at the royal family.In France, Le Monde carries a piece in which its London correspondent reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched “a few unpinned grenades” at the royal family.
The French newspaper, along with others in the Francophone world, carried coverage from the AFP news agency that described the interview as a “settling of scores”.The French newspaper, along with others in the Francophone world, carried coverage from the AFP news agency that described the interview as a “settling of scores”.
It added:It added:
In Germany, the mass-selling tabloid Bild has been leading with the interview, which it describes as being part of a “family war”, and focuses on the frosty comments by Prince Harry about his father, Prince Charles.In Germany, the mass-selling tabloid Bild has been leading with the interview, which it describes as being part of a “family war”, and focuses on the frosty comments by Prince Harry about his father, Prince Charles.
In Italy, Corriere della Sera covers the interview with a headline heading saying that the royal household was “worried Archie was too dark”, in a reference to the comments by the Duchess of Sussex that there had been discussions in which an unnamed figure wondered about the skin colour of her yet-to-be-born son. In Italy, Corriere della Sera covers the interview with a headline saying the royal household was “worried Archie was too dark”, in a reference to the comments by the Duchess of Sussex that there had been discussions in which an unnamed figure wondered about the skin colour of her yet-to-be-born son.
In the Australian media, the Sydney Morning Herald carries an analysis from Bevan Shields, based in London, who concludes:In the Australian media, the Sydney Morning Herald carries an analysis from Bevan Shields, based in London, who concludes:
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s revelations in their interview with Oprah Winfrey are “damning” and “damaging” to the monarchy, but the institution will ultimately be strong enough to withstand the controversy, some royal commentators have predicted.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s revelations in their interview with Oprah Winfrey are “damning” and “damaging” to the monarchy, but the institution will ultimately be strong enough to withstand the controversy, some royal commentators have predicted.
Harry and Meghan’s comments during the two-hour sit-down have “lobbed a hand grenade into the family home” and represent a “very serious attack” on the institution, the royal author Penny Junor said.Harry and Meghan’s comments during the two-hour sit-down have “lobbed a hand grenade into the family home” and represent a “very serious attack” on the institution, the royal author Penny Junor said.
Junor told the PA news agency: “I do not know why they’ve done this. This is Harry’s family, his flesh and blood, and this seems to have lobbed a hand grenade into the family home.Junor told the PA news agency: “I do not know why they’ve done this. This is Harry’s family, his flesh and blood, and this seems to have lobbed a hand grenade into the family home.
“I worry that there will be no coming back from that.”“I worry that there will be no coming back from that.”
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said the interview “seems very personal against members of the royal family”.Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said the interview “seems very personal against members of the royal family”.
She told PA: “It’s a real downer on everyone in the royal family apart from the Queen. It’s probably the most damning condemnation of the royal family and how they operate that I’ve ever heard.”She told PA: “It’s a real downer on everyone in the royal family apart from the Queen. It’s probably the most damning condemnation of the royal family and how they operate that I’ve ever heard.”
On comments from Harry about royal family members feeling “trapped within the system”, she said: “It struck me that he wasn’t completely comfortable with what he was saying.”On comments from Harry about royal family members feeling “trapped within the system”, she said: “It struck me that he wasn’t completely comfortable with what he was saying.”
The Labour MP Nadia Whittome tweeted: “When Meghan Markle was accused of bullying, Buckingham Palace immediately announced an investigation.
“Now that Meghan has revealed comments about her child’s skin colour, will they investigate racism in the Palace? I won’t be holding my breath.”
Many in Britain have woken up to news of what was said during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s televised interview with Oprah Winfrey. Here is a synopsis:
The Duchess of Sussex revealed she had suicidal thoughts as she struggled with life inside the royal family, saying: “I just didn’t want to be alive any more.” She said she had begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to get help, and approached one of the most senior people in the institution, but was told it would not look good.
Meghan told how Harry had cradled her when she was in the depths of despair and how she had sought help from one of the best friends of Diana, Princess of Wales – who may have been Julia Samuel, a psychotherapist.
Meghan said that, when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family had raised “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born”. Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be “too brown” and that would be a problem, Meghan said: “If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.”
Meghan also suggested Archie was not made a prince because of his race. The duke said none of his relatives had spoken out in support of Meghan following the racism he said she had faced in the media. “No one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts,” Harry said.
Harry said he felt let down by Charles and that “there’s a lot of hurt that’s happened”. Speaking about his father, the duke said: “I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, [and] Archie’s his grandson. But at the same time – I will always love him – but there’s a lot of hurt that’s happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.”
Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting a baby girl. The duke joined his wife in the second half of the interview, and told the chatshow host: “It’s a girl,” and said it was “amazing” to be having a daughter.
Meghan lavished praised on the monarch and said the Queen had given her “some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace” for the pair’s first joint engagement. She added that she had not realised she would have to curtsey to the Queen.
Meghan said Kate had made her cry before her wedding at a bridesmaids’ dress-fitting – not the other way round. The duchess said Kate was “upset about some things and she owned it and apologised” and sent flowers. But Meghan added that the false reports about the incident were a turning point. She said “everyone in the institution knew that wasn’t true”, and she hoped Kate “would have wanted that to be corrected”, adding: “She is a good person.”
The Guardian’s Caroline Davies explores whether Meghan’s son Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed race. The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah she was shocked at the decision – but who made it, and was it fair? Read more below.
Buckingham Palace should investigate any allegations of racism after the Duchess of Sussex claimed an unnamed member of the royal family raised “concerns and conversations” about the likely skin colour of her son, Archie, the shadow education secretary has said.
Kate Green said the accusations by Meghan during an interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired in the US on Sunday were “really distressing, shocking”.
Green told Sky News: “And if there are allegations of racism then I would expect them to be treated by the palace with the utmost seriousness, and fully investigated.”
Read the full story here.
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.
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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 would 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.”
The anti-monarchy group Republic said an honest debate about the future of the institution was 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.
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 were 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 any more”.
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.”
The 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 unnamed royal had 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.”