Trigger warning: mention of suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Last Sunday, March 7, was full of shocking revelations concerning England’s royal family due to a special Oprah Winfrey interview. The CBS special, Oprah with Meghan and Harry, starred Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they participated in a “tell-all interview.”
The show began with a one-on-one between Meghan and Oprah, taking place outdoors at an unknown location. The two discussed a variety of topics before they were joined by Prince Harry. Meghan told of her struggle with suicidal thoughts, shocking her host when explaining the lack of help she received upon reaching out. Meghan actually went to the human resources department of the palace but was turned away since she was not an employee.
Unfortunately, Meghan is not the first royal to suffer such trauma in silence. Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, once told of her own battle with suicidal thoughts and self-harm. Meghan Markle’s reception from the public and her in-laws seems to have mirrored that of her deceased mother-in-law, as Diana was also wildly popular with the public but an outcast within the royal family.
Race was a hot topic during the interview as the couple explained that there were comments made by unidentified members of the royal family concerning how dark their son Archie’s skin might be. It has been confirmed that these comments were not made by the Queen or Prince Philip.
Since the interview, there has been a statement released by Buckingham Palace. To quote the statement, "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."
Prince William has been the only individual member of the family to give a statement on the matter. The prince told reporters that he had yet to speak to his brother following the interview, but that “we’re very much not a racist family.”
It was also confirmed during the interview that the couple had been cut off financially by the royal family and their security team had been revoked. The transition happened when the royal couple and their child relocated to Canada and then California. These actions still took place despite the fact that Meghan had received death threats. Prince Harry made it clear that without his inheritance from his late mother, they would not have been able to make the move. The prince went on to say that, concerning him stepping away from the royal family, he thought his mother “saw it coming.”
Although the interview highlighted some heavy topics, the interview also covered lighter subjects, such as the announcement of the sex of the couple’s second child. They revealed that they would be welcoming a baby girl this summer, though a specific due date was not mentioned. It was also discussed how the couple was actually married three days before their official ceremony, which was internationally televised in 2018.
If you missed the airing of the show, it can be found on the CBS website.
By Maggie Barnhill, Staff Writer