Meghan Markle Reveals Reasons Behind Leaving Royal Family

a still image of the interview that aired on CBS

Natalie Bartelt, staff writer

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired on March 7, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle revealed the major reasons behind her and Prince Harry’s decision to leave the Royal Family. This included apparent conversations regarding the skin tone of the couple’s son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

Markle claimed that during her pregnancy, a member of the Royal Family brought up to Prince Harry “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born.” This has left many to wonder which relative spoke of this as Markle would not name the individual. After airing, Oprah later clarified that it was not Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip who brought up these conversations. Prince William responded to the press in his first public appearance after the interview aired, stating, “We are very much not a racist family.” 

The Duchess also explained that she was told her son would not receive an HRH(His/Her Royal Highness) title or security as she said, “having the title gives you the safety and protection,” which Oprah then asked if it was “because of his race,” leaving Markle to suggest that was perhaps a reason why. In accordance with protocols made by King George V, only the children and grandchildren of a sovereign have a right to a title, and Archie is the great-grandchild of the queen. This means Archie would be entitled to the prince title once Prince Charles becomes king. However, Markle vocalized that she was aware how this worked but was told “they want to change the convention for Archie,” so that he would not become prince.

Starting worldwide conversations about mental-health and suicide, Markle shared about the suicidal thoughts she continuously faced while under pressure of the press and royal life. She confessed, “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.” Prince Harry soon joined them after not having been present in the beginning of the interview and told that he was unable to turn to his family as “they very much have this mentality of, ‘This is all just how it is. This is how it’s meant to be, you can’t change it. We’ve all been through it.’” He also added that the family became silent when the press spoke about Markle in a racist manner. “There was an opportunity, many opportunities for my family to show public support,” Prince Harry described, “Yet no one from my family ever said anything.”

The queen issued a statement on March 9, noting, “The issues raised, particularly of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.” The rest of the family has yet to comment.