The tell-all interview with Oprah was the first the Sussexes gave since announcing their controversial decision to quit royal life. The two-hour conversation has been as polarising as their decision to step down from royal duties, with numerous celebrities and high-profile figures either backing or criticising the claims the couple made.
US talk show host Oprah Winfrey said she had no idea that the interview Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave to her would have such a “reverberating impact”. Speaking on TalkShopLive, Winfrey said she was surprised that Meghan Markle made allegations of racism against the Royal Family.
“Our shared intention was the truth. They wanted to be able to tell their story and tell it in such a way that allowed them to be as truthful as possible. What? You’re going there? You’re going all the way there”, Winfrey exclaimed to host Nancy O’Dell.
The talk show host was praised for posing balanced questions and creating an intimate conversation, however, Winfrey refused to take credit for the interview and said it was the couple’s decision to speak openly that made it so impressive.
“The reason why it was such a powerful interview … was when you have somebody else who is willing to be as open, as vulnerable, as truthful as they were”, Winfrey said.
She then revealed she warned her crew against leaking the content of the interview before it went to air because the couple’s claims could have been “misconstrued”.
What Did the Sussexes Say?
As mentioned before, the tell-all interview has become as polarising as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit the Royal Family in January 2020. During the interview, which according to CBS TV, was viewed by almost 50 million across the globe, the pair made several sensational claims against the Royal Family.
The most explosive claim, however, was made by Meghan Markle. The Duchess, who is half black, alleged that one member of the family was concerned about the potentially dark skin of their first child, Archie.
“Because they were concerned that if he were too brown, that would be a problem? Are you saying that?”, Oprah Winfrey asked.
“If that’s the assumption you are making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one”, Meghan replied.
The pair refused to reveal the identity of the royal, but later off air told Winfrey that it was not the Queen or her late husband Prince Philip.
Other claims made during the interview include:
