Meghan and Harry already knew they were being deprived of their titles and sponsorships when they sat down for the ‘no subject off limits’ interview with Oprah Winfrey, The Mail on Sunday may reveal.
But the Sussexes seem to have been reeling from the tone of the heavily formulated statement in which the announcement was made on behalf of the Queen.
Sources say their shock explains, at least in part, the anger and hurt the couple showed during the trailers released before tonight’s interview with CBS.
The Queen had several private conversations with Harry in the past few weeks, in which she explained that it would be impossible for him and Meghan to maintain their sponsorships if they confirmed that they were far from their official duties.
The Sussex knew their titles were being stripped before the interview with Oprah (photo)
But the statement announcing the move, released by Buckingham Palace on February 19, was potentially explosive from the point of view of the Royal Family – and risked the kind of on-screen reaction that American viewers are likely to see tonight.
References to ‘a life of public service’ were a particular point of contention for Harry, who served on two trips to Afghanistan with the British Army.
It is believed that the couple was also upset that the queen decided to sign her ad saying ‘we are all sad about their decision’, instead of wishing them the best in the future.
The moment also caused anger, as a review of the couple’s decision to step away from real obligations was not expected to take place by the end of this month.
In turn, billionaire Oprah, a veteran of chat shows with more than 40 years of television experience, described the broadcast to colleagues as “the best interview she has ever given”.
Within hours of Buckingham Palace’s declaration, photos of her were taken aboard a jet at Santa Barbara airport, 15 miles from the Sussex 11 million pound mansion.
Reports suggest that Oprah only met Meghan once before being invited to the royal wedding in May 2018, when she was described as a ‘friend of the couple’. It is believed that they were introduced by the American network CBS and met when Oprah met in London.
The 67-year-old said she had already requested an interview with Meghan, but her request was refused with the Duchess, apparently telling her that ‘it was not the right time’.
‘I remember this conversation,’ Meghan told Oprah in one of the interview trailers. – I wasn’t even allowed to have this conversation with you personally. There must have been people sitting there. ‘
Meghan goes on to say that now is the right time because ‘we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn’t have said yes (for a previous interview request). That was not my choice to make. ‘
‘So, as an adult who lived a really independent life and then enter this construction that is different from what I think people think it is, it is really liberating to have the right and the privilege to say, “Yes, I I am ready to speak. ”’
In addition to losing his military titles, Harry was also forced to give up his position as a patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League.
The couple had been president and vice president of Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, an organization created by the duke’s office in 2018 that was expected to give them both an international role.
But these also returned to the Queen, while the Duchess lost her position as patron of the Commonwealth Association of Universities.
The decision also meant that Meghan was stripped of her sponsorship of the National Theater, a role given to the former actress by the Queen after she occupied him for 45 years.
After the Queen’s announcement, the Sussex – clearly injured – responded shortly thereafter. “As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented, regardless of their official role” , they wrote.
Prince Harry, portrayed with James Haskell, was also forced to give up his position as patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League
‘We can all live a life of service. The service is universal. ‘
The farewell shot was described by commentators as “insulting” and “terribly disrespectful” to the queen.
The Sussex later claimed that this had been interpreted “out of context”.
But it was notable that, in the newly updated Archewell Foundation logo of the couple, the word ‘Service’ appears prominently.
The couple is keeping their sponsorships private. This includes Harry’s role at Sentebale, a mental health charity and the Invictus Games Foundation. Meghan is also a patron of Smart Works, which provides clothing and training for job interviews for women in need, and of the animal charity Mayhew.