In a revealing segment of their Netflix documentary series, Prince Harry has disclosed that Meghan Markle was left in tears following a statement released by Prince William. The emotional incident occurred after a joint statement was issued in both brothers' names to address allegations that William had bullied Harry and Meghan out of the royal family.
The Statement That Sparked Distress
Harry recounted the moment in the fifth episode of the docuseries, describing how a story emerged suggesting that part of the reason for their departure from royal duties was due to bullying by William. Shortly after a meeting, Harry learned that a statement had been released in his and his brother's names to refute these claims.
"I couldn't believe it," Harry stated. "No one had asked me permission to put my name to a statement like that. And I rang Meghan and I told her and she burst into floods of tears because within four hours they were happy to lie to protect my brother and yet for three years, they were never willing to tell the truth to protect us."
Content of the Controversial Statement
The statement in question, released just days after Harry and Meghan announced their step back from royal roles with the late Queen Elizabeth's approval, read: "Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful."
Broader Royal Family Tensions
Harry further elaborated on the strained dynamics within the royal family, particularly regarding their response to racist news articles about Meghan. He revealed that the Palace's directive was to remain silent, but he argued that this approach failed to account for the racial element of the attacks.
"The direction from the Palace was don't say anything," Harry explained. "But what people need to understand is, as far as a lot of the family were concerned, everything that she was being put through, they had been put through as well. So it was almost like a rite of passage."
Addressing Unconscious Bias
Harry pointed to what he described as a "huge level of unconscious bias" within the institution, noting that while it might not be intentional, it requires acknowledgment and correction. "It is actually no one's fault. But once it has been pointed out, or identified within yourself you then need to make it right," he emphasized.
The documentary also covers other sensitive topics, including the couple's challenges with the tabloid press and their decision to relocate abroad. This revelation adds to the ongoing public discourse about the internal conflicts and communication breakdowns within the royal family following Harry and Meghan's departure.
