Oprah with Meghan and Harry was teased endlessly, but when the lengthy interview was finally
unleashed upon the world, it somehow managed to be even more shocking than any of us anticipated.
The groundbreaking chat, which covered the royal defectors' difficult time with the British
monarchy, revealed more about the intensely private family than ever before.
Unfortunately for the royals themselves, the biggest bombshells cast them in a negative
light.
As People reports, among other things, Meghan and Harry shared how unwilling the family
was to help with the constant negative attention from the tabloids, while one unnamed senior
member reportedly expressed concern over the shade of their son Archie's skin prior to
his birth.
Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex feel a weight has been lifted off their shoulders
after sharing their story with the world, there have been a number of repercussions
to them speaking out so publicly.
One of the most notable moments during the Oprah interview found the legendary TV host
asking Meghan whether she was concerned about the fallout from the royal family, to which
the Duchess memorably reasoned,
"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.
And, if that comes with risk of losing things ... there is a lot that has been lost already."
Prince Harry was slightly more cautious because, as E! Entertainment's Chief Correspondent
and Head of News and British ex-pat Melanie Bromley told Glamour,
"He understands the implications, once you make racism allegations against the royal
family you can't put that back in the box.
You can't come back from that."
In fact, as Bromley explained, it may ruin Harry's relationship with his family forever.
Royal commentator Roya Nikkhah claimed the family is in "fire fighting" mode over the
claims.
As People reports, the palace has been rocked by Meghan and Harry's claims, reportedly feeling
"deep sorrow and shock."
However, as Elle noted, Oprah's BFF Gayle King revealed nobody had reached out to Meghan
since the interview aired.
Moreover, the relationship between Harry and his brother, Prince William, has been incredibly
strained.
The Sussexes informed Oprah the monarchy has an "invisible contract" with the British tabloids
and is concerned about upsetting them.
Indeed, according to one of those very same tabloids, the royal family is done with Meghan
and Harry.
Daily Mirror royal editor Russell Myers, speaking on his own podcast, Pod Save the Queen, opined,
"Their relationship with the rest of the Royal Family is in the gutter and whether there
is any way back for them I'm not sure."
In fact, Myers reckons the royal defectors could likely do a follow-up interview and
reveal even more.
He said,
"I don't think this is the last we've heard of it and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest
if they pop up again ... Because that's their way of dealing with things now."
The Sussexes might have lost their standing in Hollywood too.
According to royal commentator Barbara Ellen, Meghan and Harry won't fit in with elite members
like the Obamas and Clooneys after their shocking interview.
The Duchess was previously a highly sought-after actress, thanks in large part to her starring
role in Suits, and the couple's move to fashionable Montecito, California suggests they may be
eyeing a spot on the A-list.
As far as Ellen is concerned, though, they haven't a hope.
As she noted,
"Put it this way: has Michelle Obama ever sat on a TV sofa b---hing about her sister-in-law?"
The commentator explained that, although the royal family obviously tend to keep their
cards close to their chest, it's worth noting that speaking out as the Sussexes have done
is,
"Also the antithesis of how the mega-rich, uber-influential, notoriously private elite
conduct themselves."
Mega-famous celebs live very discreetly, and the Sussexes may struggle to fit in or find
common ground with them as a result.
Judging by social media, the public is split right down the middle on the Oprah interview.
However, according to a poll conducted by YouGov US and The Economist, support for Meghan
and Harry in the States dropped significantly after the interview aired.
Average scores for the Sussexes were down over 10 points, compared to the weeks leading
up to the interview.
Likewise, a YouGov U.K. poll confirmed 36 percent of British respondents sympathized
with the royal family, while just 22 percent sided with the Sussexes.
As the L.A. Times notes, even Prime Minister Boris Johnson doubled down on his support
for the monarchy when asked to comment on the interview.
He gushed,
"I've always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role that she plays
in our country and across the Commonwealth."
Meghan and Harry were smart enough to not attack the Queen directly, which, as royal
historian Robert Lacey told The Guardian, saved them because "they would have forfeited
an enormous amount of sympathy" by doing so.
There may be hope for a reconciliation yet.
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