Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer

szl414@psu.edu 

Let us be clear: this is another interview that will go down in history that reveals the  British royal family’s history. This is just like Princess Diana’s Panorama revelations more than 25 years ago that painted a very damning picture of what it can be like in the “goldfish bowl” of royal life. The situation raises issues that cut to the heart of the monarchy’s principles and goals: inclusion, harmony, and stability. In a western democracy, the royal family lives or dies solely on the basis of what it is considered to represent.

With all these moments in the interview, it was hard to choose a starting point but let’s start with Markle. Meghan’s revelation was that she felt suicidal and that little was done to help her is probably the most devastating admission of all. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she says. And that was persistent, very simple, true, and frightening thinking… I said that I wanted to seek assistance… And I was told I couldn’t because it would be harmful to the institution.“ 

If that was not enough to make an impact there were also shocking revelations with baby Archie. Members of the royal family made racist remarks about Archie that are also disturbing. It’s unclear what was said when it was said, and who said it (although it’s been confirmed it wasn’t the Queen or Philip). Meghan brought up the subject first in the interview, explaining “ “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born,”,” stating that she and Harry had “several” conversations about it while she was pregnant. When Oprah asked Harry about the talk, he said, “That conversation, I’m never going to share. But at the time, at the time, it was awkward. I was a bit shocked”.  

To add on, security was another problem for the family, The severity of the racism, Meghan and Harry said, added to their security concerns. Meghan repeatedly said, “I wasn’t being protected,”  “They were able to lie to protect other family members,” she said. “They weren’t willing to tell the truth to protect me and my husband.” Having “security,

While dealing with the horrible things being said about Archie, Markle was no stranger to the British press. Meghan was viciously targeted in the British press and on social media, and many of the attacks were racist in nature. However, both Harry and Meghan noticed that Palace officials seemed to be oblivious to the ways in which bigotry lent a different tone to the attacks. Meghan said she was told that, unfortunately, everyone got treated rudely—but, as she noted in an extra clip that CBS ran on Monday, “Rude and racist are not the same thing.” 

The British press attacked Meghan on everything, even with her sister-in-law Kate Middleton. Kate allegedly made Meghan weep before Meghan and Harry’s wedding over Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress, according to reports. Meghan told Oprah that Kate had made her cry and that she had sent flowers and a note of apology—“I’ve forgiven her”—Meghan also said that her sister-in-law, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge—the former Kate Middleton—was “a good person,” though unwilling to defend Meghan publicly. Also, Meghan implied that there was a paper trail to back up her allegations about the family. Harry said that he loves Prince William, but is now distant from him. 

When it came to Prime Charles, Harry felt betrayed by his father. His father “stopped taking my calls” at one point. That happened during talks about the couple’s decision to step down as senior royals. They were also cut off financially. Although Harry said, “But I’ve got what my mum left me and without that, we would not have been able to do this.” He added, “I think she saw it coming. I certainly felt her presence throughout this whole process.” His mother, of course, is Diana. Americans always liked her best, anyway.

After the interview was released, it was known the royal family sent out a sixty-one worded statement saying they are saddened to hear the news and they will always be loved. 

After the grave and heavy two hour-long interview, one of Harry’s final thoughts was hopeful and a bit positive. “Time heals all things. Hopefully.” With this being said, it is important to understand the gravity of mental health and that anyone and everyone can go through some difficult times. Even the Royal family! Society needs to be more mindful of their surroundings and think about the consequences of their words and actions before anything. 

Note: If you or someone you know is at risk, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to 741741 to message with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free.