In recent weeks, a resurfaced interview from 2017 has sparked renewed debate over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the British media. The couple has been accused of attempting to “rewrite history” after describing their engagement interview from that year as an “orchestrated reality show.”
Back in November 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle publicly announced their engagement and subsequently participated in a widely-viewed interview conducted by BBC journalist Mishal Husain. The interview provided a glimpse into their relationship, showcasing the couple’s happiness and excitement about their future together. However, recent claims by Meghan suggest that the interview was far from what it seemed.
Claims of Orchestration
According to Richard Eden, a journalist for the Daily Mail, Meghan Markle has expressed dissatisfaction with Mishal Husain’s conduct during the interview. On the show Palace Confidential, Eden revealed that Meghan is now suggesting the narrative presented at that time does not accurately reflect reality.
“I think Meghan really is trying to rewrite history,” Eden said. “There’s one version that was out there at the time, and she’s trying to say, ‘No; that’s not what happened at all’. But you know, now this is Mishal Husain saying, ‘Well, wait a minute, you know. Don’t just try to rewrite history like that’.”
Mishal Husain has also responded to Meghan’s assertions. In an article for Saga magazine, Husain wrote, “When the Duchess of Sussex said that my engagement interview with her and Harry was an ‘orchestrated reality show,’ I didn’t know what to make of it. They seemed to have thought through what their new lives would be like and what marriage would mean for her life in particular. There was nothing that pointed to what would happen. It was two people who were full of joy in each other and life.”
Contradictory Narratives
Eden highlighted several inconsistencies in Meghan’s recounting of events, most notably in the narrative of how she and Prince Harry first met. During the engagement interview, Meghan claimed they were introduced on a blind date. However, in their 2022 Netflix documentary series, Meghan stated that they first connected through Instagram. Such discrepancies have fueled speculation about the authenticity of the stories told by the couple.
In addition to these contradictory stories, Eden noted that the body language between Prince Harry and Meghan during the 2017 interview was notably different from previous royal interviews. Meghan appeared “more confident” and often “leaned across” Harry, which some observers interpreted as a deviation from traditional royal demeanor.
Preference for Oprah
Meghan Markle reportedly believed that Mishal Husain was not “empathetic” enough during the BBC interview. According to sources, she would have preferred Oprah Winfrey, a friend and renowned American media personality, to conduct the interview. Oprah has since become a significant figure in Harry and Meghan’s public narrative, conducting their groundbreaking interview in 2021 that revealed tensions within the royal family.
The Fallout
Following their wedding in May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle served as working royals for less than two years. In January 2020, they announced their decision to step down from royal duties, a move that shocked the public and media alike.
The 2017 interview is not the only instance where Meghan has been accused of straying from Prince Harry’s directives. Royal author Tom Bower claimed that Meghan gave an interview to Vanity Fair in 2017, despite Harry advising her against discussing specific topics, including Donald Trump, race, and their relationship. The resulting article featured Meghan on the cover with the headline “She’s Just Wild About Harry,” contrary to Harry’s wishes.
As the conversation around the 2017 engagement interview resurfaces, it underscores the ongoing tension between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the British media. Their story continues to captivate the public, with each revelation adding a new layer to the complex relationship between the Sussexes and the royal family.
Future Implications
The resurfacing of these claims invites speculation on how they may impact Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ongoing narrative and public image. As they continue to redefine their roles outside of the British royal family, the couple remains under intense scrutiny. The debate over the 2017 interview and their broader relationship with the media highlights the challenges they face in maintaining their desired narrative while navigating a landscape that is often at odds with their perspective.
In an era where public perception is increasingly shaped by both traditional media and personal storytelling, the Sussexes’ experiences illustrate the complexities of controlling one’s narrative amid relentless scrutiny. As they chart a new path, the world will be watching to see how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to address past controversies and craft their future in the public eye.
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Source: Los Angeles Times (edited)