Buckingham Palace Breaks Silence: Royal Family Responds to Harry and Meghan’s Explosive Oprah Revelations
Two days after their groundbreaking interview with Oprah Winfrey captivated a global audience, Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 39, received an official response from Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had candidly shared deeply unflattering details about their experiences as senior working royals, prompting intense scrutiny and widespread public debate. On March 9, 2021, a highly anticipated statement was released, expressing that Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family were “saddened” by the revelations made by Harry and Meghan, particularly those concerning racial comments and a lack of support.
Buckingham Palace have just released a statement: pic.twitter.com/JzlYvef4Wn
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) March 9, 2021
The concise but impactful statement from Buckingham Palace read: “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. While 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.” This carefully worded response marked the monarchy’s first official acknowledgement of the deeply personal and damaging claims made during the interview, attempting to strike a delicate balance between empathy and a subtle defense of the institution.
The Palace’s statement came in the wake of an interview that sent shockwaves across the globe, revealing the immense struggles Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced before their decision to step back from senior royal duties and relocate to California in early 2020. Among the most explosive claims was Meghan’s revelation during her solo chat with Oprah that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be while she was still pregnant. This deeply disturbing allegation, combined with claims that Archie was denied the title of a prince and subsequent security protection, painted a stark picture of the challenges they confronted within the royal household.
Meghan recounted the distressing period, stating, “In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time… we have in tandem the conversation of, he won’t be given security, he’s not gonna be given a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might when he’s born.” This powerful declaration not only highlighted the alleged racial bias but also connected it directly to the denial of traditional royal privileges and vital security, suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. The Duchess, whose mother is African American and father is white, opted not to name the specific member of the royal family who made these comments, explaining that doing so would be “very damaging” to them. She clarified that these conversations were relayed to her by Prince Harry, who was directly involved in discussions with the unidentified individual.
Another significant claim made by Meghan Markle during the interview addressed persistent rumors about a rift with her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, 39, wife of Prince William, 38. Media reports had long circulated that Meghan had made Kate cry during an argument over flower girl dresses leading up to her wedding. Meghan vehemently denied these reports, stating unequivocally, “The reverse happened.” She elaborated on the incident, explaining, “No [I did not make Kate cry]… The reverse happened. And I don’t say that to be disparaging to anyone, because it was a really hard week of the wedding and she was upset about something, but she owned it and she apologized and she brought me flowers and a note apologizing, which is what I would do if I knew that I hurt someone… just take accountability for it.” This revelation not only clarified the true sequence of events but also offered a glimpse into the personal dynamics within the royal family, challenging previously established media narratives and emphasizing Meghan’s value of honesty and accountability.
Prince Harry, too, shared his profound emotional journey during the interview, drawing poignant parallels between Meghan’s experiences and those of his late mother, Princess Diana, who tragically died at age 36 in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi. Harry expressed immense relief and happiness to be sitting alongside his wife, acknowledging the incredible difficulty of their journey while having each other for support. He conveyed his deep concern that history might repeat itself, stating, “For me, I’m just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side because I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago. Because it’s been unbelievably tough for the two of us, but at least we have each other.” This heartfelt reflection underscored Harry’s fears regarding the relentless scrutiny and lack of institutional protection that both Meghan and his mother faced, which ultimately influenced their decision to seek a different path away from the confines of royal life.
The journey that led Harry and Meghan to step back from their duties, often dubbed “Megxit” by the press, was portrayed in the interview as a desperate measure to preserve their mental health and escape what they described as an unsupportive environment and relentless, often racially charged, media intrusion. They detailed feelings of isolation, a lack of understanding from within the Palace, and the immense pressure that culminated in their relocation to California. Their narrative suggested a deep institutional failure to protect them, particularly Meghan, from negative press and even suicidal thoughts she experienced during her pregnancy.
The wider implications of the Oprah interview and the subsequent Palace statement are far-reaching. The allegations have sparked a global conversation about the modernization of the monarchy, diversity within the institution, and the role of accountability. Public opinion has been sharply divided, with many expressing solidarity with Harry and Meghan, applauding their bravery in speaking out, while others have criticized their decision to air private family matters on a public platform. The phrase “recollections may vary” from the Palace’s statement has become a focal point, indicating a subtle disagreement with some of the specific claims made, yet without directly refuting them. This nuanced response has further fueled speculation about the true extent of the discord within the Royal Family.
Ultimately, the Oprah interview has forever altered the public perception of the British monarchy, pushing critical issues such as systemic racism, mental health support, and media ethics to the forefront. The Palace’s response, though brief and reserved, acknowledges the gravity of the situation and indicates a desire to address these complex matters internally. However, the private nature of these discussions, as stipulated by the statement, leaves many questions unanswered for a public deeply invested in the ongoing saga of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The interview serves as a significant historical marker, prompting a reassessment of tradition versus progress within one of the world’s most enduring institutions and ensuring that Harry and Meghan’s voice, once confined, now resonates globally.