The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Oprah I - Pre-interview, Feb-March 2021

[Erin9]

Oprah with Meghan and Harry

Quote by a friend of the Sussexes in Harper's Bazaar:

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a35716109/meghan-markle-disturbed-by-bullying-claims/

"They have had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at them ... but ultimately nothing will keep them from sharing their truth."

If there’s one phrase I despise these days it’s “their truth”. Facts are facts. Something either happened, or it didn’t. It was said, or it wasn’t. Interpret it as you will, but I don’t like the idea that there are various versions of the truth. They can share their interpretation of events. And I guess that’s what may happen.

I hope this interview isn’t a whine fest, but it’s not sounding good to me. Given what an incredibly privileged life these 2 lead on so many levels- apparently happy marriage, children, health, wealth, opportunity- I’m not interested in hearing them complain to Oprah.

 

[Pranter]

Its not mental gymnastics. The family business is not the family. The Firm includes dozens and dozens of staff and working family members. It may well be The Sussexes are speaking of staff leaks not that The Queen is sending info to the media.

Have you ever worked for or been part of a family owned business?





LaRae

 

[Osipi]

So basically you mean that they are not attacking Harry's family, they're attacking The Firm, so CEO of The Firm, so HMQ, so Harry's grandmother.

That's a lot of mental gymnastics just to try to explain that your faves are not attacking the Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Princess Anne and Earl and Countess of Wessex. Because that's "The Firm", they are "The Firm".

The working royal family members are the active face of the "Firm" but it's the business side of the family. Like all corporations, they have the "face" of the institution which is the royal family, the Boss and CEO which is the Queen and different departments that do the day to day grunt work like PR, secretaries that answer incoming mail and take telephone calls, the aides and advisors that assist to do the things the royals have to get done but wouldn't normally have the time to do and keep their daily planner up to date. A whole lot of people are involved in the "Firm" outside of the major royal players.

A business decision made by the Queen as how her "Firm" is run doesn't necessarily involve her personal feelings towards a member of the family such as Harry. If the Queen decided that she couldn't acquiesce and grant the things that Harry and Meghan had wanted to change as far as their working roles, it's because it was a business decision and not a reflection on how she feels about Harry and Meghan personally.

It's also a business decision that was made to oust Andrew from being involved in anything to do with the "Firm" going forward. So I see it as two separate things. There's the monarchy and it's "Firm" and then there's the British Royal Family as a family unit. ?

 

[Denville]

So basically you mean that they are not attacking Harry's family, they're attacking The Firm, so CEO of The Firm, so HMQ, so Harry's grandmother.

That's a lot of mental gymnastics just to try to explain that your faves are not attacking the Queen, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Princess Anne and Earl and Countess of Wessex. Because that's "The Firm", they are "The Firm".

I don't see that it matters whether H is attacking his grandmother as his gran... or as the CEO. if he wasn't happy with the way the firm was going.. and his grandmother as CEO could/would not give him the working conditions he wanted.. he got out. He made an escape, found a new job and a new life. What is the point, in that scenario, of trashing your ex boss on social media etc? You're out, you're in a new job and new life.. and it wont look good to new employers....

 

[ACO]

Well the interview will be seen all over the world as many countries have purchased the rights.

https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/...harry-interview-cbs-international-1234921710/

 

[Hallo girl]

Finding Freedom? Lawsuit? Her friends talking to the press?

In Finding Freedom the writer names Angela Kelly also the PA Melissa, cannot recall her surname.

 

[suztav]

JMHO but I don’t think Harry learned anything from his mother. He is doing the same thing —. Going to the media (in this case Oprah) and talking. Sorry, but this is not going to end well for Harry nor for Meghan.

Once again —. JMHO

 

[Alison H]

The interview was recorded before their patronages were removed - but, yes, after the "War of the Waleses", you'd think lessons would have been learnt about playing out family feuds all over the media. It just ends up causing more hurt.

 

[TLLK]

In Finding Freedom the writer names Angela Kelly also the PA Melissa, cannot recall her surname.

I believe it was Taubouti (spelling?)

 

[US Royal Watcher]

JMHO but I don’t think Harry learned anything from his mother. He is doing the same thing —. Going to the media (in this case Oprah) and talking. Sorry, but this is not going to end well for Harry nor for Meghan.

Once again —. JMHO

I guess it depends on the purpose of speaking out. If they want to keep their names in the news in order to draw attention to their charities or to make more money, it will work. However, if they are doing it for revenge or because they want to hurt the royal family, it will work but there will also be a cost to them.
At this point, we don't know what that cost will be.

 

[princess gertrude]

JMHO but I don’t think Harry learned anything from his mother. He is doing the same thing —. Going to the media (in this case Oprah) and talking. Sorry, but this is not going to end well for Harry nor for Meghan.

Once again —. JMHO

I agree. I don't think this is going to end especially well for Harry or Meghan. So sad to see this happening. I used to adore Harry, not I just see him as some pawn in a game.

 

[REAL COUNTESS]

Now I heard everything. Meghan was 36 years old and sure had been around the corner a few times, when she married Harry, but what was extremely important to her was, I will be a Dss with a Royal style, way better then a C actress no one paid attention to, asked Meghan who? almost invisible, now the spotlight is on her or both. She should have used it for something better. Sad they made a nice couple when they first started out, they could have done lots of good things, but that was not enough, they wanted to be in the foreground not in the space which was theirs, M/H wanted to be the Darlings of the Nation, it takes work and commitment, they wanted it but do nothing for it to earn the status, but now what? Trashing the RF is not a way to go. Btw where is her own family?, oh yes she trashed them too. She likes nice comments about herself, but not the bad ones, they are all fake, just to hurt her. If she has such disgust for Harry's family, and the employees who worked for them at the time. She should give up the Courtesy Title of Dss the Queen granted her at the time of their marriage.That would be the loss, she told Oprah?

 

[Biset]

Harry has to know when they mention “the firm”, ordinary people around the world will think of her grandmother and her family. People won’t say “Oh, The Queen is such a wonderful person but oh those around her”. They are blaming her grandmother he claims to love so much. They’re calling her cold, uncaring and racist. I don’t believe even for one second Harry doesn’t know what he’s doing. He obviously doesn’t care. They are making millions off of their family’s suffering so i guess it’s worth it for them.

 

[Erin9]

Oprah with Meghan and Harry

JMHO but I don’t think Harry learned anything from his mother. He is doing the same thing —. Going to the media (in this case Oprah) and talking. Sorry, but this is not going to end well for Harry nor for Meghan.

Once again —. JMHO

I tend to agree that Harry hasn’t learned from his mother. No matter what they say- there will some kind of controversy or backlash. Somewhere.

But- they’re opening a door that I think they’d have been better off leaving shut. There’s something to be said for “never complain, never explain.” There are exceptions, I think, but this isn’t one of them best I can tell so far.

How well it works- or doesn’t- I guess we’ll see. Short term vs long term impact could vary. But- I tend to not agree with going to the media and complaining- or doing it via website or statement. It just seems immature, petty, unprofessional,etc.

They’d be better off sticking to promoting causes IMO, but- there’s no doubt that they’ll get more publicity for speaking out.

 

[Lee-Z]

If Meghan and Harry feel unsupported by the Firm they should be able to express their feelings and concerns and to want things to be improved.
If staff members feel bullied by Meghan and Harry, they should be able to express their feelings and concerns and want things to be improved.

But not in public, that is not looking for improvement imo, that is looking to hurt.

just my 2 cts

 

[ashelen]

I think it is very sad this interview , specially when you think how much Ophera will profit from it. I wouldn't be surprise they get a % from it. I think They should to keep all this behind doors. But of course this is my thought

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

JMHO but I don’t think Harry learned anything from his mother. He is doing the same thing —. Going to the media (in this case Oprah) and talking. Sorry, but this is not going to end well for Harry nor for Meghan.

Once again —. JMHO

Impressive to conclude this before the interview has even aired.

 

[HighGoalHighDreams]

Impressive to conclude this before the interview has even aired.

Since the Sussex legal team has already released a letter stating that Harry and Meghan have arranged this interview to "speak openly and honestly to the media" about their experience (framed differently: give their perspective about their treatment) and the poster was pointing out that this was (in her opinion) the mistake Diana made, the poster is hardly jumping to unfounded conclusions.

The issue isn't the content, it is the idea of using a media interview to "give one's side of the story." If you subscribe to the idea this is a mistake, you don't need to wait for the interview to reach that conclusion.

 

[Queen Ester]

Harry has to know when they mention “the firm”, ordinary people around the world will think of her grandmother and her family. People won’t say “Oh, The Queen is such a wonderful person but oh those around her”. They are blaming her grandmother he claims to love so much. They’re calling her cold, uncaring and racist. I don’t believe even for one second Harry doesn’t know what he’s doing. He obviously doesn’t care. They are making millions off of their family’s suffering so i guess it’s worth it for them.

He cares, but he lost his sense of direction, I so wish the would not air the interview, things are bound to get our of hand, Meghan and Harry think they can trust Oprah, but I would not be too sure, she needs the ratings more than their friendship

 

[Archduchess Zelia]

Since the Sussex legal team has already released a letter stating that Harry and Meghan have arranged this interview to "speak openly and honestly to the media" about their experience (framed differently: give their perspective about their treatment) and the poster was pointing out that this was (in her opinion) the mistake Diana made, the poster is hardly jumping to unfounded conclusions.

The issue isn't the content, it is the idea of using a media interview to "give one's side of the story." If you subscribe to the idea this is a mistake, you don't need to wait for the interview to reach that conclusion.

So... the argument is that royals shouldn't give interviews?

I can list multiple royals (who aren't Diana) that have given very open and candid interviews for whom life is going pretty swell. I fail to see how, if your argument is that it is not the content but the interview itself that is problematic (although your addition of "give one's side of the story" makes me think your issue is the content after all ), it should be any different for H&M.

 

[Denville]

So... the argument is that royals shouldn't give interviews?

I can list multiple royals (who aren't Diana) that have given very open and candid interviews for whom life is going pretty swell. I fail to see how, if your argument is that it is not the content but the interview itself that is problematic (although your addition of "give one's side of the story" makes me think your issue is the content after all ), it should be any different for H&M.

The only ones I can think of who gave "Candid interviews" which touched on their private lives were Charles and Diana and Andrew.. can't say that it went well for any of them...

 

[duchesschicana]

I think this interview might have the potential to be their version of Panorama. If it does, it would be interesting to see what would The Queen do. She told Charles and Diana to divorce because of it, is it possible that Harry and Meghan might lose their royal titles because of this interview?

Titles area about birthright not who deserves what, that's not how monarchy works. Harry is acting spoilt, but then what royal has not the past? Harry is not the first royal to go after coin and wanting his cake too. Harry could commit a crime and be sitting in prison and his titles wont be taken away..Especially when you considered they never took away Aandy's title who has beeen rumored to have done more vile things compared to a tell all interview, neither will have their titles taken away.

Let harry have his momment in the sun because it wont happen again not like this. They could do follow interviews but it wont be on this scale.

 

[HighGoalHighDreams]

So... the argument is that royals shouldn't give interviews?

I can list multiple royals (who aren't Diana) that have given very open and candid interviews for whom life is going pretty swell. I fail to see how, if your argument is that it is not the content but the interview itself that is problematic (although your addition of "give one's side of the story" makes me think your issue is the content after all ), it should be any different for H&M.

The argument (not mine, another poster's, although I tend to agree) is that royals should not give "setting the record straight" interviews. This is very different from being candid or open in an interview.

And if that is the argument, once the person has said "this is what I am going to do," one need not wait for the person to do it to say "this is a bad idea." In fact, there were manifold pages of people expressing this exact thought before Andrew did it.

I only posted to point out that Poster A said: An interview such as this is a bad idea. You posted in response saying that it was astonishing that a poster could say such a thing without the interview having aired. I stepped in to say: it is not necessary to watch the interview to say the idea of the interview itself is a bad idea.

 

[Somebody]

This final sentence by Meghan seems to suggest that she truly doesn't care about the royal family anymore; nor about their promise of upholding the values of the queen.

Oprah: 'How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?' Meghan: '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.'

She has basically given up because 'a lot has been lost already' - so, she is no longer interested in reconciliation in anyway apparently - but only cares about getting her story out independent of the consequences.

 

[Duchess_Watcher]

Harry is using his mother's death to claim why he left or to protect his family, but he is going to the PRESS for more attention. It will lead to more headlines and more mess on both sides. How does this make sense?

Meghan never wanted to stay. She wanted the money, fame and title.

 

[Osipi]

Since the Sussex legal team has already released a letter stating that Harry and Meghan have arranged this interview to "speak openly and honestly to the media" about their experience (framed differently: give their perspective about their treatment) and the poster was pointing out that this was (in her opinion) the mistake Diana made, the poster is hardly jumping to unfounded conclusions.

The issue isn't the content, it is the idea of using a media interview to "give one's side of the story." If you subscribe to the idea this is a mistake, you don't need to wait for the interview to reach that conclusion.

The thought has occurred to me that in "speaking openly and honestly" to the media" in this interview, it may not have anything to do whatsoever with the "Firm" side of things. I believe it's been mentioned that it'll be Meghan with Oprah for quite a bit with Harry joining later on. Could it possibly be that the focus of "being open and honest" will be about the media and bullying that Meghan has had to endure as a UK British working royal and then won a lawsuit against the Mail on Sunday? As a private individual, hitting back at the vitriol from the media is something she can do now that she's not constricted by BP protocols.

We've only been given teasers so far about this interview but the more I think about it, Meghan did have far more problems stemming from the stories the media exaggerated and fabricated than anything else during her tenure as a working royal.

Just a few thoughts. ?

 

[Duchess_Watcher]

I've always thought the "firm" meant the royal family, rather than the staff. I hope they aren't going to say things they will regret. Harry loves his family and I don't think he wants to hurt them.

Are you sure he loves his family? When she says FIRM, it is 100 % the Royal Family or wants it to be implied that way. If you love your family, he didn't need to take his family away.

The fact this is happening in the middle of a pandemic and when Prince Phillip is sick tells me all I need to know.

Chris Ship
@chrisshipitv
·
12h
Meghan: If speaking out about my time in the Royal Family comes with “risk of losing things” says Meghan, “there’s a lot that has been lost already...”
@Oprah
’s interview with Meghan and Harry airs in the US on Sunday on
@CBS
and at in the UK on Monday, 9pm on
@ITV

Sounds like she is implying losing the title.

 

[AC21091968]

I wonder why Harry and Meghan didn't sit down with the queen, prince Charles and William in November or December 2020 to have a conversation about their situation in the Royal Family, reach to an agreement and then issue a joint statement about their future plans and role. So all of this could had been avoided. They had a problem with the Firm - they should have talked with the Boss first and then issue statements. It would have been more elegant and clear. It would have left far less room for speculation.
What they(Harry and Meghan) are doing now with these interviews is just tasteless IMO.

You raise some very crucial points here. I wonder if Oprah would ask questions on the way Harry & Meghan left as senior working royals (i.e. Announcement by Sussex Royal rather than discuss comprehensively and released a joint statement).

I know that this type of question may not likely happen, but that is what I have been thinking for quite a while.

 

[RandyDrx]

Harry is using his mother's death to claim why he left or to protect his family, but he is going to the PRESS for more attention. It will lead to more headlines and more mess on both sides. How does this make sense?

Meghan never wanted to stay. She wanted the money, fame and title.

I believe it, especially when she hired her old American PR firm from her acting days, even before they moved to the US.

 

[Duchess_Watcher]

I believe it, especially when she hired her old American PR firm from her acting days, even before they moved to the US.

I loved her at first. It was nice to see some diversity into the Royal Family, but she used the press as a way to jump. She claimed to not know anything about the Royal family but then there were blogs and a photo that proved otherwise.

There is just no way, no one has not heard of the British Royals. William must have saw or felt something to warn his brother and it looks like William was right. Harry has no choice now but to suck it up.