EXCLUSIVE: Royal filmmaker Nick Bullen believes the British monarchy can survive the recent bombshell interview that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave to Oprah Winfrey.
On March 7, CBS broadcast a two-hour narration that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle gave to the media mogul, 67. During the television meeting, Harry, 36, revealed that his relationship with his father, the prince Charles and his older brother, Prince William, broke up.
Markle, 39, described feeling so isolated and miserable within the royal family that she had thoughts of suicide. The Duchess of Sussex also claimed that a member of the royal family had “concerns” about the skin color of her unborn child.
The family member was not Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip, according to Harry, generating a wave of speculation about who it might be.
BULLYING COMPLAINTS BY MEGHAN MARKLE TO BE LOOKED AT BY EXTERNAL LAWYERS: REPORT
This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, from the left, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, talking to Oprah Winfrey.
(AP)
Still, Bullen believes the palace will “continue”.
“The monarchy can survive this interview without a doubt,” Bullen told Fox News. “There is no clue inside me that would suggest that anything except survival is possible for them. Look, this is bad. This is shocking. This is horrible. And it is very sad. But the queen has been amazing when sailing for these great personalities and public disasters faced by the family. “
Bullen is co-founder and editor-in-chief of True Royalty TV. The award-winning documentary maker has been making shows about the royal family for almost 20 years and has worked closely with Charles, 72, for eight.
Thirty-six hours after the couple’s allegations were aired, Buckingham Palace issued a public statement. However, it failed to calm the controversy and some observers criticized the royal family for not vigorously condemning racism and suggesting that the couple’s version of events may not be accurate.
TRUMP SAID MEGHAN MARKLE IS NOT “GOOD” FOLLOWING THE BOMBSHELL OPRAH INTERVIEW
Buckingham Palace issued a brief statement 36 hours after the disclosure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Oprah Winfrey in the United States
(AP)
“Too little, too late” was the verdict of royal commentator Peter Hunt, who also criticized the palace’s 61-word statement for saying that the issue would be treated privately as a family matter.
“This backward and tame statement was for predictability when unpredictability – leaving Windsor’s comfort zone – was what was needed,” wrote Hunt on the website of the influential British magazine The Spectator.
The declaration was issued on behalf of the queen, 94. It came after increasing public pressure.
“The whole family is saddened to learn how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” said the palace. “The issues raised, particularly those of race, are worrisome. Although some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be handled in private by the family.”
PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE SECRETLY DEALED WITH THE INTRUDE IN THE PROPERTY: REPORTS
Prince Charles, the father of Prince Harry who is first in line to the throne, remained silent when asked about the revealing interview.
(Getty)
The comments were the palace’s first words since the interview shook the royal family – and sparked conversations around the world about racism, mental health and even the relationship between Britain and its former colonies.
Bullen said this is not the first time the queen has dealt with a global scandal.
“When Princess Diana died, stories circulated insisting that the royal family had killed her,” he explained. “There was a feeling of revolt in the streets. People were publicly against the royal family and in support of Diana. But the queen calmed the waters with her speech the night before the funeral and things went on.”
“But even in the past hundred years, the family has always survived after facing any kind of crisis thrown at them,” he continued. “This is just another crisis that they will have to go through.”
THE 2014 BLOG POST BY MEGHAN MARKLE APPARENTLY DEMONSTRATES THE CLAIM THAT HE DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING OF REAL LIFE
Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, publicly defended his family.
(REUTERS)
Shortly after the interview, William defended the monarchy by saying that they “are not a racist family”. The 38-year-old man’s comments were made during a visit to a school in East London.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is second in line to the throne after Charles, said he had not yet spoken to Harry after the interview.
“But I’m going to do it,” he noted.
Two days after the revelation, Charles left to visit a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in London. The Prince of Wales was asked by reporters about his reaction to the shocking conversation, but remained silent.
A representative for Charles did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment.
PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE WILLIAM WILL FACE THE CHALLENGES IN RECONCILIATION, SOURCE SAYS: ‘IT HAPPENED TOO MUCH’
Prince William (right) and Prince Harry (left) are due to meet this summer to celebrate their mother’s birthday.
(Getty Images)
Bullen said he had no doubt that the comments made by Harry and Markle hurt the family.
“What I think is horrible about this is that it comes from the depths of the family,” he said. “When Diana gave her own shocking interview, it was, to some extent, outside the family. But this disaster was done within the family.”
Still, Bullen noted that Harry and William are expected to be “shoulder to shoulder” at a memorial they commissioned for their late mother this summer. And so far, it’s still on.
“Both would like to honor her and both have pledged to do so,” said Bullen. “And the plan continues. What will happen now is unknown, but I imagine they will be together on the first of July.”
Representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made no comment when contacted by Fox News.
MEGHAN MARKLE FOR PRESIDENT? AND OTHER UNITED KINGDOM OPRAH INTERVIEW FALLOUT SUBMISSIONS
Prince Harry said he was able to guarantee the safety of his family because of the money his late mother, Princess Diana, left behind.
(AP Photo / Jim Bourdier)
Harry told Winfrey that the royal family cut him off in early 2020 after announcing plans to step aside from his roles. But he was able to guarantee the safety of his family because of the money his late mother left behind.
He said his relationship with Charles was affected. He even noticed that the patriarch stopped answering his calls.
“There is a lot to work out there,” said Harry of his relationship with his father. “I feel very disappointed. He went through something similar. He knows what pain is. And Archie is his grandson. I will always love him, but a lot of hurt has happened.”
Harry also acknowledged that he does not have a close relationship with his brother William. He contested rumors that he intentionally surprised the queen with his decision to separate. He suspected that the rumors came from the institution.
“I never surprised my grandmother,” said Harry. “I have a lot of respect for her.”
QUEEN ELIZABETH RETURNS TO REAL DUTIES FOLLOWING MEGHAN MARKLE, INTERVIEW BY PRINCE HARRY OPRAH WINFREY
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke favorably about Queen Elizabeth II.
(Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The interview was seen by almost 50 million people worldwide.
After Harry and Markle were married in May 2018 at Windsor Castle, the royal family seemed to welcome the Duchess of Sussex, a glamorous former TV star. The pair was seen as a new youthful face for the monarchy of an increasingly multicultural nation.
The couple moved away from royal duties last year and ended up settling in California, saying they wanted to escape racist coverage and unwanted intrusions into their privacy by the British media.
During the interview, the duke and duchess shared that they are expecting a girl this summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.