Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Oprah interview will ‘raise the issue of race in Britain’

0
87

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey is likely to raise the issue of race in Britain, ITV’s royal editor has said.

Chris Ship revealed Meghan discussed her experience of being mixed race in the UK when she met with Oprah for their upcoming TV chat.

Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news...

ITV’s Chris Ship said Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah will raise the issue of race in Britain
Meghan is expected to speak about being mixed race in the UK

The bombshell interview is expected to air on Sunday while Prince Philip undergoes checks on his heart in hospital.

Many have called for the chat to be pulled under the circumstances, but broadcaster CBS is reportedly refusing to budge.

Of Meghan, ITV’s Chris Ship told Good Morning Britain: “I know that she is going to mention things like mental health and the impact of being in the UK had on her mental health.

“I know that she’s going to mention about the press intrusion, but also she’s going to raise the issue of race in Britain.”

Speaking alongside three other white guests on the show, Mr Ship told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “I’m not sure this is the right panel to discuss that about how when you are either black or mixed heritage like Meghan how she felt in the UK. 

“That issue, I think, is the one we are going to be talking about next week.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to delay their TV interview with Oprah Winfrey

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to delay their TV interview with Oprah Winfrey
Trailers for the interview promised 'shocking' royal revelations
Trailers for the interview promised ‘shocking’ royal revelations

Meghan has spoken about her experience with racism in the past and showed her support for the Black Lives Matter movement last summer as protests swept the globe.

The Duke of Sussex also said he has had “an awakening” to white privilege since being with his wife, and the pair called for an end to structural racism in the UK last year.

In an article for the Evening Standard, they said: “As long as structural racism exists, there will be generations of young people of colour who do not start their lives with the same equality of opportunity as their white peers.”

Harry, who moved to the US with Meghan, 39, last year, added: “The UK is incredibly diverse and London is celebrated as one of the most diverse cities in the world, yet if you actually get out on to the streets and talk to people, it doesn’t feel as diverse as it actually is.”

The pair are expected to speak in more detail about their lives on the weekend, with two trailers promising “shocking” royal revelations.

Meghan is asked by Oprah in the preview clips why she felt her time as a duchess was “almost unsurvivable”.

The famous talk-show host also wanted to make it “clear to everybody there is no subject that is off limits”.

Holding hands with Meghan in an outdoor location understood to be Santa Barbara, California, Harry adds: “You know for me, I’m just really relieved and happy to be sitting here, talking to you, with my wife by my side.

“Because I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for her, going through this process by herself. All those years ago.

“Because it’s been unbelievably tough for the two of us, but at least we had each other.”

The “primetime special” with Meghan and Harry was initially set to last 90 minutes, but CBS have now reportedly extended that to two hours.