Prince Harry is comparing his separate from the royal family to his mother’s own experience, Princess Diana, almost 30 years ago. In a preview of CBS’s “Oprah with Meghan and Harry: A Primetime Special”, the Duke of Sussex says he fears “history repeating itself”.
“You know, for me, I’m really relieved and happy to be sitting here, talking to you, with my wife by my side,” Harry told Oprah Winfrey in a 30-second teaser of the next interview, which will air Sunday.
“Because I can’t even imagine what life must have been like for her, going through this process alone, so many years ago”, he continues, with his wife, Meghan Markle, on his side. “Because it’s been incredibly difficult for both of us – but at least we had each other.”
In another clip, Harry says his “biggest concern was history repeating itself” – another apparent reference to his mother.
Diana, the Princess of Wales, separated from Prince Charles in an excruciating public separation in the 1990s. She died in a car accident in 1997. Harry has spoken out against growing media coverage his mother fought until his death.
The long-awaited two-hour prime time exclusive airs on Sunday, March 7, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am ET on CBS. It is the couple’s first interview since they stopped working as official members of the royal family last year.
During the special, Winfrey discusses a wide range of topics with Meghan, from her entry into life as a member of the royal family, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work and public pressure.
Winfrey asks Meghan at one point, “Were you silent or were you silenced?” His answer is not revealed in the teaser.
Winfrey also says that “no subject is off limits”, adding later: “You said some very shocking things here.”
Harry talks about the couple’s move to the United States, as well as their hopes of expanding the family. They recently announced that they are expecting their second child.
Last week, Harry said one of the reasons he and Meghan left the UK was because the “toxic” press was “destroying” their mental health.
“We all know what the British press can be like, and it was destroying my mental health,” Harry told James Corden on “The Late Late Show”. “I was like, this is toxic. So I did what any husband and father would do and said I need to get my family out of here.”