In front of Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made shocking revelations this Sunday, March 7 on CBS. Buckingham Palace waited until the evening of Tuesday, March 9 to react, 56 hours later. Explanations.
The explosive confessions of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in front of Oprah Winfrey this Sunday, March 7 had the effect of a bomb. Campaign of denigration, suspicions of racism, suicidal thoughts, lack of support, the couple of Sussex did not mince its words. Many expected a quick reaction from Buckingham Palace after this unprecedented media unpacking. It was not until Tuesday 9 March, 56 hours later, that the Queen reacted.
A senior source explained why Elizabeth II and key family members were slow to react, as reported by The Mirror. The 94-year-old sovereign would have first refused to sign a statement aimed at “defusing tensions”. The monarch had signified that she needed more time to think about her response. “At the heart of all this, there is a family,” stressed this source.
Discussions with Prince Charles and Prince William
“Diversity, equality, inclusion and mental health are important issues and highlighting them has been part of the work of members of the royal family for many years,” she reported. According to the Daily Mail, the queen, confined to Windsor Castle, spoke with her son Prince Charles, and grandson Prince William, before issuing the statement. If the monarch did not see the interview, but obtained a detailed report, this explosive interview would have “overwhelmed” Prince Charles “with despair” and deeply offended his eldest son.
Indeed, it was only on Tuesday 9 March that Elizabeth II finally signed the Buckingham Palace statement in reaction to this interview. In it, she showed compassion towards the Sussex couple, saying she was “saddened to learn how hard the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan”, also promising to discuss “privately” the accusations of racism, especially against the Duchess, but also her son Archie. A statement that emanates from long family discussions, since the queen, to avoid throwing oil on the fire, wanted to wait to study all possible responses, and not to release a reaction in haste.
Elizabeth II has “examined” the situation
Thus, Elizabeth II wished to proceed initially to a “careful examination of the situation” to draft a response. “It was important for us to carefully consider any response before publishing; and of course, publishing something that today meant that viewers in the UK had the opportunity to watch the interview, if they wished,” explained an insider to the Mirror. Before publishing her reaction, the Daily Mail also reported that the queen had been keen to speak with Princes Charles and William, who were apparently “mad with grief” after the revelations of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, including the revelation of their strained relationship with the Duke of Sussex for several months.
In the end, the British royal family chose to express themselves with these few words. “The whole family is saddened to hear how difficult the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” begins the statement released by Buckingham Palace, before returning to the accusations of racism made by the Duchess of Sussex, “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are worrying. Although some memories differ, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family in private.” A statement that concludes with a message of reassurance, “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”
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