During the sitting, Meghan revealed that life within the royal family was so isolated, lonely and lacking in support that she experienced suicidal thoughts. She also said that individuals within the institution had expressed concern about the color of their son Archie’s skin.
Even before the interview – Meghan’s first since she and her husband announced plans to resign from senior roles in the British royal family – the British media criticized the events. The relationship between the couple and the press in the country, and especially pony newspapers, has long been turbulent.
The Daily Mail offered wall-to-wall coverage of the interview, trying to fit all the bomb shells in one headline: ‘Meghan claims she was suicidal when she was 5 months pregnant, Kate made HER cry and Royals did not want to makes Archie a prince because they were worried about how ‘dark’ he would be, as Harry reveals that their new baby will be a GIRL. ‘The site is dominated by coverage, including at least 13 interview articles containing photos.
The interview was broadcast on CBS on Sunday during the first US hour and at 1am local UK time.
The tabloid’s web page also featured a prominent banner that read, “I WANT TO KILL MYSELF,” and included a track that was played on the loop from the interview, to which Meghan says, with subtitles: “I just wanted to no more life. “
Another article on the site looked into the discussion of the couple during the interview about life in the United States, where they raise chickens.
“Back to the basics of their $ 14.5 million mansion,” reads one headline.
Monday’s print edition of the Daily Mail, meanwhile, highlights the allegations about Archie’s skin color concern: “MEGHAN ACCUSES PALACE OF RACISM,” reads the front page of Monday’s issue of the Daily Mail. While other news outlets used images provided by Harpo Productions, Winfrey’s production company, the Daily Mail chose a carefully cut image focused on Meghan’s face.
The deluge of stories on the Daily Mail homepage follows a dismissive headline ahead of the preview of the preview earlier on Sunday, in which the outlet attempt tried to indulge the CBS special as a ‘sideshow’.
Other newspapers also quickly considered the possible consequences of the interview.
“Meghan Markle may never return to Britain after angering Royal Family for an Oprah interview,” The Sun wrote, referring to Meghan’s name before marriage. It quoted “insiders” [who] fearing that she and Prince Harry could burn their bridges by not telling family members what was in the two-hour conversation before it was shown. ‘
The publication got a new nickname for Meghan amid her split with the royal family: “Megxile.” Previously, British tabloid newspapers had given the couple’s decision to relinquish their royal duties ‘Megxit’, a description of the term used to describe the UK’s departure from the European Union.
“Queen: Duty and family unite us”, reads the front page of the Daily Express newspaper. “This is public service for you, Harry and Meghan … NOT a self-service TV conversation with Oprah.”
Even before the show, British tabloids came armed for the occasion, which was one of the biggest royal interviews in decades.
On Monday, the print edition of the Daily Mirror will show “immense sadness” on Princess amid the downfall of the Oprah interview, Sky News reported.
Both the Duke and the Duchess became increasingly open about the harsh media scrutiny they received.
Last month, Prince Harry told James Corden, a late-show host, that his experiences prompted him to take a step back from the royal family. “We all know what the British press can be like, and it has destroyed my mental health,” he said.
And in April last year, Harry and Meghan said they would close all business with four of the UK’s largest pony newspapers after years of strained relations. The couple also struggled with the media in court.
In an interview with Oprah on Sunday, Meghan said it had become painfully clear that there were double standards in how the media saw her and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the succession to the British throne.
“I can see now what layers are playing there. And it seems like they really want a story of a hero and a villain,” Meghan said.
The coverage of the interview with Meghan and Harry was not limited to the tabloids. British morning shows and broadcasts also featured excerpts prominently on Monday.
How to get help: call the National lifeline for suicide prevention at 1-800-273-8255. The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befriends Worldwide also provides contact information for crisis centers around the world.
Brian Stelter contributed to this report.
