Following their step back from the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle let out their royal struggles during an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday (7 March).
From discussions about their son’s skin tone to troubling suicidal thoughts, the couple didn’t hold back and opened up about what made them shift roles and continents. They also utilised this opportunity to clarify misconceptions of previous reports on them.
Here’s what went down during Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s interview with Oprah.
1. “I Just Didn’t Want To Be Alive Anymore”
Image source: Screenragb from YouTube / CBC News: The National
In a startling revelation, Meghan shared that she had suicidal thoughts due to negative press. The Duchess of Sussex told Oprah that at nights inside the “royal box,” she would be weeping.
That overwhelmed by her emotions, she finally decided to confide in her husband. She said, “I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially because I know how much loss he’s suffered, but I knew that if I didn’t say it, that I would do it.”
Meghan shared that she even asked if she could seek professional help. But was informed by the palace that this was not a feasible option.
Although, she clarifies that she has been reaching out to one of Princess Diana’s friends for help, she says, “My hope for people in the takeaway from this is to know that there’s another side. To know that life is worth living.”
2. What Really Happened Between The Two Duchesses
There were reports back in 2018 about Meghan’s “feud” with her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. They even went on to say that Meghan brought the Duchess of Cambridge to tears. But Meghan reveals that “the reverse happened” and it was she who was upset by the other’s actions.
While the two have reconciled Markle shared her side of the story. “A few days before the wedding she (Kate) was upset about something, pertaining to, yes, the issue was correct about the flower girl dresses, and it made me cry. It really hurt my feelings. There wasn’t a confrontation,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s fair to her to get into the details of that because she apologised, and I (have) forgiven her. What was hard to get over was being blamed for something that not only I didn’t do, but that happened to me. I am not sharing that piece about Kate in any way to be disparaging to her,” Meghan said, further stating that the Royal Palace’s attitude towards that said news report, shocked her.
“They would go on the record and negate the most ridiculous story about anybody,” she said about her frustration with ‘The Firm’ not correcting the narrative about their so-called feud.
She added that she couldn’t have felt lonelier and she stayed locked in her home to avoid the press.
3. The Worries They Had Surrounding Their Son, Archie
Even before their son Archie was born, there were already conversations about him not being given a title and security. This of course troubled the couple since they knew their son would be exposed to the tabloids.
The idea of Archie not being completely safe became one of the primary reasons to drive the couple away
Meghan claims one of her regrets was “believing them when they said I’d be protected.”
In the 90-minute interview, the Duchess of Sussex also shared shocking details on discussions about her son’s skin colour. She says there were “also concerns and conversations over how dark his skin might be when he was born.”
However, Harry chose not to comment and said it was not a conversation he ever wanted to share.
Image source: Screengrab from YouTube / CBS News: The National
4. Prince Harry’s Father Has Stopped Answering His Calls
While Harry says his family and the Queen still had a “really good relationship,” he revealed that Prince Charles has since stopped taking his calls. The Duke of Sussex said that he was “disappointed” in his father.
“I will always love him. But there’s a lot of hurt that’s happened,” Harry tells Oprah.
He claimed that even though he still loves his brother William, the two are on “different paths.”
5. The Duke of Sussex Continues To Be Grateful To The Late Diana
Image source: Facebook / Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle
The Duke of Sussex also talked about his married life and how it made him realise the challenges faced by his own mother. With the royal family’s alleged refusal to provide security to them and the financial cut-off since early 2020, the Duke claims, “I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her to go through this process by herself all those years ago.”
He added that he had “felt her presence throughout this whole process.” It was thanks to the money Diana left for him that he was able to bring his family to California, he shared.
6. The Couple Reveal The Gender Of Their Baby And Admit To Living Happily
During the interview, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also revealed perhaps the most anticipated news: the gender of their baby that is due this summer.
“To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, what more can you ask for?” the Duke happily shared.
Oprah wrapped up the interview by asking Meghan if she thought her story with Harry had a happy ending. And the Duchess responded, “Greater than any fairy tale you’ve ever read.”
Lead image source from screengrab from CBS News.
ALSO READ:
Prince Harry Opens Up About His Love For Meghan Markle And Their Unique Parenting Style
Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle Pregnant With Second Child