LONDON – Buckingham Palace’s highly anticipated response to Prince Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey this week did little to dampen interest in a story that still causes shock waves across the UK.
Despite the queen’s call Tuesday night for the couple’s claims to be “handled by the family in particular,” her 61-word statement did not restrain the insatiable appetite of the British press and the public.
As of Wednesday, British newspapers were still dominated by the public split, revealing the meaning behind each line of the palace’s carefully crafted statement.
The Daily Express sneezed “Memories can vary,” while the Daily Mail led with “Poll: Now take your titles.”
Piers Morgan, co-host of ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” and an open critic of Meghan, faced widespread condemnation for doubting Meghan’s story, including his confession of feeling suicidal. More than 41,000 complaints have been sent to Ofcom, the British TV regulator, with many commentators on social media accusing him of racism.
ITV announced Morgan’s resignation on Tuesday night after 5 years with the show and on Wednesday the editor of the tabloid newspaper who became a presenter remained defiant.
“On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her interview on Oprah. I had time to reflect on that opinion and I still don’t have it ”, Morgan tweeted, alongside a quote from the former Prime Minister of Great Britain during the war, Winston Churchill.
He added that freedom of speech “is a hill on which I am happy to die” and he would not give in to the growing pressure to back off his comments.
Ofcom announced that it was investigating Monday’s episode under its “rules of harm and offense” after Morgan questioned Meghan’s comments before entering into a heated on-screen discussion with Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a black commentator.
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The program’s policy editor, Ranvir Singh, sat in Morgan’s chair on Wednesday’s program, alongside longtime host Susanna Reid.
Reid headed the news that Morgan “decided to leave the program” and talked about the polarizing qualities of his former colleague.
“He is undoubtedly an outspoken, defiant, obstinate and disturbing speaker. He has a lot of critics and a lot of fans. You all know that I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview, ”she said on Wednesday’s show. “He has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have rebelled against. It will certainly be very different. But the shows go on and on and on. “
British newspapers remain involved in the royal saga after their official industry body rejected the accusations of racism, in a statement criticized by some journalists and politicians.
The Society of Editors, an industry organization that promotes press freedom, said that “it was not acceptable for the duke and duchess” to claim that their coverage was racist, “without providing any supporting evidence”, in a statement released on Monday.
This response led publishers in media organizations like The Guardian and HuffPost to condemn body posture.
Meanwhile, celebrities continue to show support for Meghan’s decision to speak up.
“Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership. We are empowered and inspired by you, ”Beyoncé shared in a statement on her website.
