By now, it’s a known fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey (aired on March 7, 2021) has rubbed a lot of high-profile people the wrong way. But no-one would have anticipated it to have such “globally spanning” effects.
About two weeks after the telecast, on March 25, Prince Albert II, Monaco’s head of state, publicly criticized the statements and revelations the ex-royal couple made in conversation with Oprah. By the way, Prince Albert II is a European royal and Queen Elizabeth’s seventh cousin.
Let’s take a look at what the monarch said.
Read – Check out the new ‘Head of Content’ for the Archewell Foundation
Prince Albert’s reaction to the interview
It all started when Prince Albert II appeared on BBC World News to discuss his plans to preserve global marine life on the occasion of Monaco Ocean Week. During the discussion, the BBC news presenter, Yalda Hakim, asked him to share his thoughts about Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview. The monarch immediately responded that he didn’t like the way the royal couple publicly displayed their dissatisfaction.
Although he was quick in expressing his sympathy with the couple and said that he understands the pressure of representing a royal family, he still emphasized that such conversations should lie within the family’s private setting.
When probed at why it bothered him, he revealed that he understood where the couple was coming from but felt that a forum like an Oprah interview wasn’t appropriate for conducting such discussions. Towards the end of the discussion, Prince Albert said that he wishes the Duke of Sussex the best and hopes he uses his wisdom and judgment to make the right choices in life.
A glimpse into the cause of the stir
In conversation with Oprah, Harry and Meghan touched upon different topics ranging from their psychological health to their decision to move to California. One of the most delicate discussions that surfaced was Meghan’s feeling of “being silenced” by the royal family.
The Duchess recalled that when she was suffering from personal health issues, the people in the family refused to help her. She even hurled the serious allegation of racial discrimination at the royal family, saying that some members had expressed concerns about Archie’s skin color being dark after birth. Even though Oprah pushed them to reveal the royal member’s name who made such comments, they maintained a dignified silence revealing only that it wasn’t Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip.
Read – Meghan Markle’s dad asks Oprah to interview him
The royal reaction to the interview
Two days after it aired, on March 9, 2021, the Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen expressing concern over Harry and Meghan’s sufferings. She stated that the family was heartbroken to hear about the challenges the Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced over the years.
While talking about the claims related to racial discrimination, she said that the issue was disturbing and would be addressed privately by the family. The statement ended on a positive note, saying that Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always receive love from the royal family.
