Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Interview Couldn’t Come at a Worse Time for the Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey is about to air this weekend. According to the clips previewing the talk, it will be an interview unlike anything fans have ever seen of the Sussexes as they will be addressing what has happened since they stepped down from their roles as senior working members of the royal family. Unfortunately for the rest of the royals, this interview couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from the royal family
At the beginning of 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they wanted to live a more independent life. The queen determined that the two would need to completely leave their roles as working members of the royal family as there was no way to be financially independent while working for her. At the time, she seemed supportive of their decision, and even wished them her best.
“Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family,” Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement.
“Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much loved members of my family,” she continued. “I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”
But since then, she has stripped the Sussexes of their patronages.
What will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about?
The interview is set to cover an array of topics.
“I just want to make it clear to everybody there is no subject that’s off-limits,” Oprah says in a preview of the interview.
In another clip, Meghan admits that the royal family may have had something to do with lies being spread about her.
“I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that the Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” Meghan tells Oprah. “And if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean I — there’s a lot that’s been lost already.”
Why this interview is poorly timed
Currently, the royal family is in a precarious situation as the queen’s husband, Prince Philip, has been in the hospital since Feb. 16, fighting an infection.
“Clearly this interview comes at a very difficult time for the royal family,” royal expert, Katie Nicholl, told Entertainment Tonight. “They are much more concerned with the more serious matter which is the health of the Duke of Edinburgh who is seriously ill in hospital.”
She continued: “The timing really couldn’t be any worse for the royal family. This interview is coming at such a difficult time.”
If Philip doesn’t recover, Nicholl thinks the interview premiering could be postponed.
“He’s clearly very unwell,” she continued. “I think that if he was to take a turn for the worst then possibly there is an argument for rescheduling [Harry and Meghan’s interview] and moving it to perhaps a more appropriate time.”
