In a startling revelation, a British journalist, writing for The Times at the end of June, unveiled Queen Elizabeth II’s reaction just before the controversial interview of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aired on television.
Back in March 2021, the world watched as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry bared their souls in an intimate interview with Oprah Winfrey on American television. The explosive interview took viewers behind the scenes of the British royal family, leaving shockwaves in its wake. On June 30, journalist Valentine Low, in his book “Courtiers,” shared the Queen’s response to the broadcast. It turns out, Her Majesty preferred to exercise patience before delving into the revelations.
While palace courtiers were eager to swiftly address the fallout from the Sussexes’ revelations by providing an immediate response, Queen Elizabeth II opted to “absolutely watch the program first.” She made the decision to watch it alongside the rest of the population, tuning in to ITV when the interview aired in the United Kingdom. However, the palace had already taken a proactive step as “a team from the palace had viewed the interview overnight” before it was shown to American viewers. Senior British officials subsequently convened on a conference call to strategize their reaction, with a preliminary open statement prepared the following morning after the interview aired in the United States.
Interestingly, despite media anticipation, the palace remained eerily silent, causing frustration among observers. It appeared that Queen Elizabeth II was in no rush to address the situation. Initially, the courtiers had contemplated sharing a conciliatory letter with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but the intervention of Kate Middleton altered their course. Journalist Valentine Low explained, “They were careful not to clash with each other, but William and Kate made it clear which side of the debate they were on.” The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge desired a more resolute stance from the Queen, emphasizing the need for a response that conveyed the institution’s refusal to accept much of what was said during the Oprah Winfrey interview.
As the saga unfolded, the public eagerly awaited Queen Elizabeth II’s next move, wondering how the monarchy would navigate these turbulent waters. With the revelations of the interview still reverberating, all eyes turned to Buckingham Palace for signs of how the royal family would respond to the explosive claims made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
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