It’s all-out war between Meghan and Harry and Buckingham Palace – and nobody’s pulling any punches
Their shocking TV interview has caused a family war
Ever since it was first announced that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had filmed a “no-holds-barred” interview with US talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, speculation was rife as to what they would say about their time in the royal family. And they didn’t disappoint.
The tell-all chat was due to be aired first in the US, and then shown in the UK 24 hours later, and in it, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex discussed their “terrible time” in Britain and their new life in America away from all the negativity. At one point, Meghan even seemed to accuse the palace of making up lies about her, and referred to the royal family by its hated nickname of “The Firm”.
Unsurprisingly, their revelations have kicked off a new war with the royal family, who are said to feel utterly betrayed by the Sussexes – and any future reconciliation now looks increasingly unlikely.
The drama kicked off last week, as teasers from the interview were released and shocking allegations made on both sides. There were accusations of Meghan bullying her staff during her time as a royal and lying about a pair of diamond earrings she was given, as well as reports that she believed sister-inlaw Kate Middleton and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were responsible for leaking negative stories about her. The interview was also very awkwardly timed, as Harry’s 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip has been in hospital since mid-february, and last week had a heart operation. So, it’s no wonder we’re told the royals – especially Harry’s brother Prince William – feel let down that Harry and Meghan have chosen to do this.
“Everyone at the palace feels betrayed by this interview, they didn’t think it was necessary,” our source explains. “They welcomed Meghan into their family, with Charles even walking her down the aisle when her dad couldn’t make the wedding. They tried to help, but knew it was difficult, so they supported the couple’s decision when they decided to step back as working royals and start a new life in America. They had hoped they could still play a part in moving the monarchy forward. But there seems to be no way back after this.
“The Queen seems deeply hurt by all of it and would undoubtedly have liked any issues to be resolved in private, as that is the way she handles things. Kate and William will feel very let down and betrayed by it, as they were so close to Harry and wanted to repair their relationship. But it now feels like a war has been started between the Sussexes and the rest of the royals. It’s just
sad and the timing wasn’t great. William must be furious and feel he’s lost his brother for good.”
In the interview, Oprah asks Meghan, “How do you feel about the palace hearing you speak your truth today?” An emotional Meghan – who is pregnant with the couple’s second child – replies, “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.” She also added, “And, if that comes with a risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.”
Harry also spoke about the press intrusion, and said he had to get away as he didn’t want the same thing to happen to Meghan as happened to his mother, Princess Diana. She was killed in a car crash in 1997, while being pursued by paparazzi. He said, “My biggest fear was history repeating itself.”
We’re told Harry knows the interview will upset his family, but the most important people in his life are now Meghan and their 22-month-old son Archie. “Harry won’t be silenced or forced into an apology by anyone. If anything, friends think he’s waiting for the likes of William and Kate to contact him and – more importantly, Meghan – with a grovelling apology,” we’re told. “He still seethes at what they went through in England, and blames his family for failing to control the tabloids in what he sees as a relentless hate campaign against his wife. With each interview or public statement that he makes, Harry is gaining confidence and Meghan’s cheering him on every step of the way. “For all the negativity and criticism that’s blown up in the press and on social media, he and Meghan have also had a ton of support and encouragement from the people close to them about this strong stance they’re both taking, and that’s given him a lot of confidence to speak out. It mystifies the likes of the Cambridges, and even Prince Charles, that he would be airing this dirty laundry right now when his grandfather is fighting for life in hospital. But that despair is also tinged with a resignation that he’s not capable of acting any other way now. They can only hope that this tell-all isn’t the first of other embarrassing interviews yet to come.”
But with the way things are going, it seems this isn’t the last we’ve heard from Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36. They are said to be furious at the recent negative stories that were leaked in the run-up to the interview. Last week, it was revealed that Buckingham Palace was launching an investigation
‘They feel they have nothing to apologise for’
into claims Meghan had bullied members of her staff, forcing them to quit. The allegations date back to 2018, and their former communications secretary Jason Knauf – who now works for William and Kate – is said to have sent an email about the complaints, allegedly writing, “I remain concerned that nothing will be done.”
While Meghan and Harry have denied any bullying claims, more staff are said to be prepared to come forward and speak of their own alleged bullying. And the palace has said they are “very concerned” by the allegations and will now investigate the affair.
It was also claimed that former actress Meghan had worn a pair of diamond earrings to an event in 2018, which were a wedding gift from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, who had approved the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi just weeks before. At the time, she said she had borrowed them, but was allegedly advised by palace staff not to wear them. Lawyers for the duchess have now explained that she was unaware of speculation around the Crown Prince’s role in the murder, and while she may have stated they were borrowed she did not say they were borrowed from a jeweller. She also denied that she had misled anyone about their provenance.
Soon after her wedding to Harry in 2018, it was claimed she had made sister-in-law Kate cry during a bridesmaid dress fitting for Princess Charlotte. It is now alleged that Meghan feels Kate’s team, or the press team of Camilla, were leaking negative stories about her. Neither Kate or Camilla have commented on the claims.
And we’re told all this backlash has just proved to Meghan and Harry that they were right to leave and give their side of the story, regardless of who gets hurt. “They have made it clear to Oprah that they don’t feel the need to apologise and are living life on their terms,” our source explains. “Harry and Meghan have found their paradise in California, and their consciences are totally clear. Harry is confident the royals will understand in time and see that he still loves his family very much, but a lot has changed in his life and everyone needs to accept it. He simply won’t put up with criticism of his wife from anyone.” n