Oprah Says She Was Surprised that Meghan Markle Went "All the Way There" with Racism Claims
In a new interview with Nancy O’Dell, Oprah Winfrey said she was surprised Meghan Markle "went all the way there" with racism claims against the royal family.
- Many royal fans were shocked by the revelations Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made during their sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey this spring.
- In a new chat with Nancy O'Dell, Oprah revealed that she, too, was shocked by some of what Meghan revealed during their discussion, particular when it came to her experiences with racism in the royal family.
- "I had no idea that it would have the reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have," Oprah explained. "Our shared intention was the truth. They wanted to be able to tell their story and tell it in such a way that allowed them to be as truthful as possible."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey surprised a lot of people—including Oprah herself.
Speaking on Nancy O’Dell’s new TalkShopLive streaming show, Oprah opened up about the explosive interview and made it clear that she did not know going into the discussion just how candid Meghan was going to be about her experiences in the royal family.
"I had no idea that it would have the reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have," Oprah said, according to Page Six. "Our shared intention was the truth. They wanted to be able to tell their story and tell it in such a way that allowed them to be as truthful as possible."
Oprah revealed that she was particularly surprised by Meghan's revelation that an unnamed member of the royal family had expressed concerns about the skin color her and Harry's children when she was pregnant with Archie Harrison.
"What? You’re going there? You’re going all the way there," Winfrey said of her reaction in that moment. "The reason why it was such a powerful interview....was when you have somebody else who is willing to be as open, as vulnerable, as truthful as they were."
During their interview, Meghan revealed that the conversations about Archie's skin color had arisen during the same time when she and Harry were fighting for their child to be granted security.
"In those months when I was pregnant, all around the same time...So we have in tandem the conversation of, He won't be given security, He's not going to be given a title," she explained. "And also, concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"What? Who is having that conversation with you?" Oprah asked in response, clearly shaken by what Meghan was saying. "There's a conversation with you...? Hold up. There's a conversation?"
Meghan clarified that the conversations had been with her husband, who had relayed them to her. The Duchess of Sussex declined to reveal who in the royal family had been involved in the discussions, saying that it would be "very damaging to them."
Later in the interview, Harry confirmed the story, but also refused to specify who in his family had expressed concerns about Archie's skin color.
"That conversation...I am never going to share," he said. "But at the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked...I am not comfortable with sharing [the question]. But that was right at the beginning—What would the kids look like?"
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Nicole Kidman Addresses the Popular Meme Referencing Her Divorce From Tom Cruise
"That wasn't real life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kim Kardashian Got the New Tesla Robot Before Anyone Else and Showed Off Its Dance Moves
"meet my new friend."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Major Sporting Event—And Shares What Position He'd Play in Football
The Duke of Sussex promoted his upcoming Invictus Games.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Major Sporting Event—And Shares What Position He'd Play in Football
The Duke of Sussex promoted his upcoming Invictus Games.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle's $6,050 Pendant Pays Tribute to Her "Angels" Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
The engraved necklace features an adorable reference to the Duchess of Sussex's children.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle's 5 Best Royal Re-Wears
The Duchess of Sussex knows what works.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla Has Helped King Charles "Loosen Up," But He Appears "Tense" Without Her
"He was quite a nervous man... Camilla has been a catalyst for change."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Proves the Little Black Corset Should Be a Holiday Party Staple While Supporting Her Friend's New Haircare Line
The Duchess of Sussex is an investor in Highbrow Hippie haircare.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Might Change Some of Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Rituals as He's Less Traditional
"I don't think Charles will exactly rip up the rule book, but there's a strong chance he'll loosen some of the rules."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Diana's Former Chauffeur Reflects on Her Death for the First Time After Being Fired
"She died believing I had betrayed her and that's something I can't ever forget or forgive."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Spends Time With Pat Tillman's Widow During Surprise Appearance at Tillman Honors Gala
The Duke of Sussex was honored with the Pat Tillman Award For Service at the ESPYs earlier this year.
By Danielle Campoamor Last updated