Some Fans Think Prince Harry Came Off as a Bad Husband During Their Oprah Interview
On March 7, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex shocked the world with their tell-all interview hosted by Oprah Winfrey. The interview was a chance for the Sussexes to share their side of events went on these past few years.
While Harry and Meghan gained a number of sympathizers after the interview, some royal fans think the information they shared makes Harry look like a bad husband.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview was watched by over 17 million people
The interview, which was aired on CBS, was one of the networks’ most-watched TV events in 2021.
According to CNN, it drew in over 17 million people, which was over two times the average amount of viewers the network received the previous Sunday. Harry and Meghan’s interview also received higher ratings than the recent Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. However, it was still dwarfed by the Super Bowl, which drew in over 100 million viewers.
It should be noted that these figures came from data provided by Nielsen, which did not count some viewers who streamed Harry and Meghan’s interview online. Additionally, the interview was aired in other countries as well. As such, the total amount of viewers was likely much higher than 17 million.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talked about her mental health
One shocking revelation during the interview was Meghan’s consideration for self-harm and suicide when she was pregnant with her son Archie.
“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said, as reported by Sky News. “And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.”
She revealed that she also asked for help from other people in the royal institution, but they allegedly said there was “nothing we can do to protect you because you’re not a paid employee of the institution.”
When Oprah later asked Harry if he told his family members about Meghan’s mental health struggles, he shared that he did not.
“That’s just not a conversation that would be had,” Harry said. “I guess I was ashamed of admitting it to them. And I don’t know whether they’ve had the same feelings or thoughts. I have no idea. It’s a very trapping environment that a lot of them are stuck in.”
Some fans think Prince Harry should have helped Meghan Markle more
Harry’s comment about not reaching out to other royals for help with Meghan’s suicidal thoughts rub some fans the wrong way.
“I think Harry came off the worst out of everyone tonight,” one person says on Reddit. “He betrayed his family but also revealed himself to apparently be a s**t husband who did nothing to help his wife? This interview didn’t make him look good to either side of the debate.”
Another person also writes, “Harry stating he was embarrassed about his wife’s issues is beyond the pale. This is the guy who danced naked in Vegas, pardon me if it kind of stretches my sense of credulity to believe this tidbit, given the fact that he himself has had therapy in the past.”
Many fans point out that these comments go against the mental health projects Harry, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge have been doing. Kate’s brother, James Middleton, has even talked about having depression and going to therapy. Additionally, Harry himself has opened up about getting therapy to deal with the death of his mother.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
