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Harry and Meghan Oprah interview live: Duke of Sussex says racism was 'large part' of reason why couple left UK Duke of Sussex says racism was 'large part' of reason why he and Meghan left UK
(32 minutes later)
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
Our live coverage of the fallout from the Harry and Meghan interview – including the broadcast in the UK of the interview from 9pm GMT – continues on our new live blog:
The behaviour towards Meghan shows Britain has “learned nothing” from Princess Diana’s treatment, writes the historian Kate Williams, author of ‘Becoming Queen,’ an account of Queen Victoria’s rise.The behaviour towards Meghan shows Britain has “learned nothing” from Princess Diana’s treatment, writes the historian Kate Williams, author of ‘Becoming Queen,’ an account of Queen Victoria’s rise.
The professor of history at Reading university writes in a piece for the Guardian that Britain has “a toxic relationship with its royals.The professor of history at Reading university writes in a piece for the Guardian that Britain has “a toxic relationship with its royals.
Williams suggests it is likely that republican sentiment will “only swell” after the allegations.Williams suggests it is likely that republican sentiment will “only swell” after the allegations.
Zac Goldsmith’s intervention on Twitter – in which he said Prince Harry was “blowing up his family” – has drawn the ire of some who have been reminding the Conservative politician of his controversial campaign to be London mayor in 2016.Zac Goldsmith’s intervention on Twitter – in which he said Prince Harry was “blowing up his family” – has drawn the ire of some who have been reminding the Conservative politician of his controversial campaign to be London mayor in 2016.
Labour had repeatedly claimed attacks on the winning candidate, Sadiq Khan, were dog-whistle racism aimed at suggesting London was not safe in the hands of a Muslim mayor.Labour had repeatedly claimed attacks on the winning candidate, Sadiq Khan, were dog-whistle racism aimed at suggesting London was not safe in the hands of a Muslim mayor.
It might be useful to read that statement from the Society of Editors, and the apparent anger on the part of at least some of its members at the comments by Prince Harry – in particular in the context of the way in which the media in the UK agreed to keep his military deployment to Afghanistan secret.It might be useful to read that statement from the Society of Editors, and the apparent anger on the part of at least some of its members at the comments by Prince Harry – in particular in the context of the way in which the media in the UK agreed to keep his military deployment to Afghanistan secret.
The Guardian’s Mark Sweney reported at the time on how Britain’s Ministry of Defence held a series of meetings with British media representatives in advance of the 23-year-old prince’s departure to Afghanistan in December 2007, reaching an agreement that his deployment would be kept secret.The Guardian’s Mark Sweney reported at the time on how Britain’s Ministry of Defence held a series of meetings with British media representatives in advance of the 23-year-old prince’s departure to Afghanistan in December 2007, reaching an agreement that his deployment would be kept secret.
Under the news blackout deal, media organisations that signed up were given access to a series of pooled interviews, pictures and footage of the prince in Afghanistan, on condition that nothing would run until his six-month tour ended.Under the news blackout deal, media organisations that signed up were given access to a series of pooled interviews, pictures and footage of the prince in Afghanistan, on condition that nothing would run until his six-month tour ended.
All the major UK news broadcasters, newspaper publishers and news agencies signed up for the MoD deal.All the major UK news broadcasters, newspaper publishers and news agencies signed up for the MoD deal.
The UK media “is not bigoted and will not be swayed from its vital role holding the rich and powerful to account,” according to a statement by the Society of Editors, which represents editors at national and regional titles across the UK.The UK media “is not bigoted and will not be swayed from its vital role holding the rich and powerful to account,” according to a statement by the Society of Editors, which represents editors at national and regional titles across the UK.
Reacting to what it described as “an attack” by Harry and Meghan, the industry body said it was not acceptable for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to make such claims without providing any supporting evidence.Reacting to what it described as “an attack” by Harry and Meghan, the industry body said it was not acceptable for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to make such claims without providing any supporting evidence.
Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “If it is simply the case the Sussexes feel that the press by questioning their actions and commenting on their roles when working as Royals funded by the taxpayer were being racist then they are mistaken.”Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: “If it is simply the case the Sussexes feel that the press by questioning their actions and commenting on their roles when working as Royals funded by the taxpayer were being racist then they are mistaken.”
“But that warmth could not and should not mean the press should be expected to refuse to report, investigate and comment on the couple’s lifestyle and actions.”“But that warmth could not and should not mean the press should be expected to refuse to report, investigate and comment on the couple’s lifestyle and actions.”
Murray added that it was “a pity” that the couple did not mention the support which the UK media has shown to charitable works carried out by them and its role in ensuring that the prince’s military service in Afghanistan went ahead.Murray added that it was “a pity” that the couple did not mention the support which the UK media has shown to charitable works carried out by them and its role in ensuring that the prince’s military service in Afghanistan went ahead.
“The UK media has a proud record of calling out racism and also being at the forefront of campaigns to support mental health awareness, another of the issues raised by the couple.”“The UK media has a proud record of calling out racism and also being at the forefront of campaigns to support mental health awareness, another of the issues raised by the couple.”
Jess Brammer, Editor-in-chief of HuffPost UK, has tweeted that she doesn’t agree with the statement put out by her industry body, though she agrees with some elements of it:Jess Brammer, Editor-in-chief of HuffPost UK, has tweeted that she doesn’t agree with the statement put out by her industry body, though she agrees with some elements of it:
Zac Goldsmith, minister for Pacific and the environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, appears to have become the first minister to comment directly on the interview.Zac Goldsmith, minister for Pacific and the environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, appears to have become the first minister to comment directly on the interview.
“Harry is blowing up his family,” said Holdsmith, in a tweet referencing a quote which has been attributed to Prince Harry in some reports about an alleged row between him and a senior royal member of staff.“Harry is blowing up his family,” said Holdsmith, in a tweet referencing a quote which has been attributed to Prince Harry in some reports about an alleged row between him and a senior royal member of staff.
The prince, or those sources close to him, have never confirmed this version of eventsThe prince, or those sources close to him, have never confirmed this version of events
Johnson congratulated the Sun’s political editor on his “very determined attempt to involve” him in the storyJohnson congratulated the Sun’s political editor on his “very determined attempt to involve” him in the story
“I really think that when it comes to matters to do with the royal family the right thing for prime minister to say is nothing and nothing is the thing that I propose to say today about that particular matter.”“I really think that when it comes to matters to do with the royal family the right thing for prime minister to say is nothing and nothing is the thing that I propose to say today about that particular matter.”
Harry Cole of the Sun has returned to the royal question, asking Boris Johnson if he believes the controversy has “damaged the nation” and if he believes “Queen aside” that the royal family is racist.Harry Cole of the Sun has returned to the royal question, asking Boris Johnson if he believes the controversy has “damaged the nation” and if he believes “Queen aside” that the royal family is racist.
Britain’s prime minister has been asked at a conference about the comments by Prince Harry and Meghan that concerns were raised with the prince about the skin colour of their baby.Britain’s prime minister has been asked at a conference about the comments by Prince Harry and Meghan that concerns were raised with the prince about the skin colour of their baby.
“Perhaps the best thing I can say is that I have always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role she play in our country and across the Commonwealth,” Boris Johnson said, when asked at a briefing in Downing Street about Covid-19.“Perhaps the best thing I can say is that I have always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role she play in our country and across the Commonwealth,” Boris Johnson said, when asked at a briefing in Downing Street about Covid-19.
“As for other matters to do with the royal family I have spent a long time now not commenting on royal family matters and I don’t intend to depart from that today.”“As for other matters to do with the royal family I have spent a long time now not commenting on royal family matters and I don’t intend to depart from that today.”
The Duchess of Sussex’s allegation that concerns were raised with Prince Harry about the skin colour of their baby when she was pregnant will probably have been the most shocking for a US audience to hear, where discussion of colourism is widespread.The Duchess of Sussex’s allegation that concerns were raised with Prince Harry about the skin colour of their baby when she was pregnant will probably have been the most shocking for a US audience to hear, where discussion of colourism is widespread.
But experts in the UK have argued that the comments would also resonate deeply across the Atlantic. Though it is not recognised as such, colourism is a significant issue in the UK too, they said.But experts in the UK have argued that the comments would also resonate deeply across the Atlantic. Though it is not recognised as such, colourism is a significant issue in the UK too, they said.
In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, which first aired in the US on Sunday, Meghan said conversations were had about how dark Archie’s skin might be when he was born. Meghan and Harry declined to say who expressed those concerns.In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, which first aired in the US on Sunday, Meghan said conversations were had about how dark Archie’s skin might be when he was born. Meghan and Harry declined to say who expressed those concerns.
Aisha Phoenix, a researcher on colourism, Islam and belonging at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said: “Colourism in general is a taboo topic and until recently people haven’t wanted to talk about it in the UK. Beyond those who have experienced it, there wasn’t the recognition that it actually existed and there was no body of research to draw on. Because it hadn’t been researched, some people assumed that it wasn’t an issue.”Aisha Phoenix, a researcher on colourism, Islam and belonging at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said: “Colourism in general is a taboo topic and until recently people haven’t wanted to talk about it in the UK. Beyond those who have experienced it, there wasn’t the recognition that it actually existed and there was no body of research to draw on. Because it hadn’t been researched, some people assumed that it wasn’t an issue.”
The continuing debate about whether the Duchess of Sussex was a victim of racism is “misogynoir, pure and simple,” says Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, the solicitor and activist who tore strips out of Piers Morgan and the royal family on Good Morning Britain today.The continuing debate about whether the Duchess of Sussex was a victim of racism is “misogynoir, pure and simple,” says Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, the solicitor and activist who tore strips out of Piers Morgan and the royal family on Good Morning Britain today.
In an opinion piece for the Guardian, she writes:In an opinion piece for the Guardian, she writes:
And in case you missed Mos-Shogbamimu’s appearance on television this morning, or you just wanted to see it again, here it is:And in case you missed Mos-Shogbamimu’s appearance on television this morning, or you just wanted to see it again, here it is:
The Duchess of Sussex has dismissed a book written by her half-sister that purports to tell all about her, saying: “I think it would be very hard to tell all when you don’t know me.”The Duchess of Sussex has dismissed a book written by her half-sister that purports to tell all about her, saying: “I think it would be very hard to tell all when you don’t know me.”
Samantha Markle has criticised Meghan a number of times since she was publicly linked with the Duke of Sussex, and has published a book called The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister Part 1.Samantha Markle has criticised Meghan a number of times since she was publicly linked with the Duke of Sussex, and has published a book called The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister Part 1.
Asked by Oprah Winfrey how she felt about the book, Meghan said:Asked by Oprah Winfrey how she felt about the book, Meghan said:
Piers Morgan, one of Meghan and Harry’s most outspoken media critics, has used his MailOnline column to publish his thoughts on their Oprah interview.Piers Morgan, one of Meghan and Harry’s most outspoken media critics, has used his MailOnline column to publish his thoughts on their Oprah interview.
Riffing off his anger at the couple’s daring to tell the world about how they felt, Morgan writes:Riffing off his anger at the couple’s daring to tell the world about how they felt, Morgan writes:
In florid prose, the tabloid journalist-cum-broadcaster tells readers “steam was erupting out of [his] ears like an exploding geyser” after just ten minutes of what he described as a “repulsively disingenuous interview”.In florid prose, the tabloid journalist-cum-broadcaster tells readers “steam was erupting out of [his] ears like an exploding geyser” after just ten minutes of what he described as a “repulsively disingenuous interview”.
Condemning the couple for “flinging out the filthy family laundry”, he accuses them of revealing “some incredibly damaging bombshells deliberately detonated to do maximum damage to the British royal family and the monarchy.”Condemning the couple for “flinging out the filthy family laundry”, he accuses them of revealing “some incredibly damaging bombshells deliberately detonated to do maximum damage to the British royal family and the monarchy.”
Kicking out at their revelation that a member of the royal family had raised questions over the skin colour of Harry and Meghan’s child, Morgan fulminates: “Would an older senior royal innocently asking Harry what skin colour his baby might have, given that Meghan’s mother is black and her father white, constitute racism?”Kicking out at their revelation that a member of the royal family had raised questions over the skin colour of Harry and Meghan’s child, Morgan fulminates: “Would an older senior royal innocently asking Harry what skin colour his baby might have, given that Meghan’s mother is black and her father white, constitute racism?”
(Some people might have a different answer to that question than the one Morgan imagines.)(Some people might have a different answer to that question than the one Morgan imagines.)
The Duchess of Sussex has said that her father was not honest with her about talking to the UK tabloids ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry.The Duchess of Sussex has said that her father was not honest with her about talking to the UK tabloids ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry.
In another extract from the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said she had called Thomas Markle after receiving advance warning that newspapers were planning to publish stories he had contributed to, to ask him if he had worked with journalists.In another extract from the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said she had called Thomas Markle after receiving advance warning that newspapers were planning to publish stories he had contributed to, to ask him if he had worked with journalists.
“He said: ‘No, absolutely not,’” Meghan said.“He said: ‘No, absolutely not,’” Meghan said.
This just in from our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot.This just in from our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot.