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Oprah Winfrey is facing a new wave of backlash over an old royal bombshell.
After revisiting her 2021 interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Winfrey’s interpretation of her “quiet or muted” question sparked renewed debate online.
The press officer’s reflection on one of the most talked-about moments during the explosive sit-down has reignited the debate over an interview that rocked the monarchy, divided viewers and put what Harry and Meghan have to say about royal life under the global microscope.
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Oprah Winfrey interviewed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for a special in 2021 where they revealed their struggles with royal life. (Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images)
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Winfrey looked back on the viral exchange with Meghan, explaining why she challenged the Duchess of Sussex after she was “quiet” during her time as acting monarch.
“I wanted it to be clear because you were silenced? People were telling him not to speak?… I said it to be clear because I didn’t want to hear later that, “No, it wasn’t like that. Of course I was silenced. Don’t let me talk.” So it was all for clarification.”
Meghan told Winfrey at the time, “I’ve always valued independence” and “I’ve always been vocal, especially about women’s rights.”
“I mean, that’s the sad irony of the last four years that I’ve been advocating for women to use their voice. Then I went silent.”
Winfrey responded with a question that immediately came to mind.
“Did you keep quiet or did you keep quiet?”
“One last time,” Meghan replied.
Winfrey also revealed that Harry and Meghan did not know what questions she was planning to ask before the interview.
“Obviously they didn’t know anything I was going to ask them, but I told them ahead of time, ‘I’m going to try to put everything together.'”
“This interview lasted three and a half hours… I was just trying to process carefully everything that came up in the past.”
Oprah Winfrey is sparking royal backlash after revisiting her “hushed” question to Meghan Markle. (Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images)
The 2021 CBS special was one of the biggest celebrity interviews of the decade after Harry and Meghan opened up about their decision to step down from the royal role, allegations of lack of support from the royal family, Meghan’s mental health issues, and claims about discussions about the royal situation and the safety of their son Archie.
The couple’s comments sparked global debate, including Meghan’s claim that there were “concerns and discussions” about “how dark her skin would be at birth.”
Harry also described feeling trapped within the royal establishment.
“I need to do this for my family. This is no surprise to anyone,” he said.
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“It’s really sad that it’s come to this point, but I have to do something to improve my mental health, my wife’s, and Archie’s, because I’ve seen where this is going.”
Winfrey’s latest comments quickly sparked a wave of reactions online.
“Oprah going back?” one X user wrote.
One critic commented, “Oh, Oprah… You failed to challenge the obvious inconsistencies… and gave Harry and Meghan a global platform to tell ‘their story’ without scrutiny or questioning. Now you want ‘clarification?’ That ship sailed! Thank you…”
Oprah Winfrey also criticized Prince Harry’s royal interview. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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A third added, “Five years later, Oprah is still trying to distance herself from the dastardly duo. Looks like scrubbing an interview online wasn’t enough. How can an industry giant like Oprah allow herself to be used by certified liars?”
But fans shrugged off the criticism.
“In that royal climate he was silenced he had no voice. Royal families cannot express their opinions, everyone knows that,” said one Instagram user.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are staying with their son Archie on their 2019 trip to Cape Town, South Africa. (Samir Hussain)
“I miss all these moments. She is a TRUE icon. A pioneer. I love Oprah,” said the YouTube commenter.
“Great moments to look back on… I miss them all,” wrote one fan.
Years later, the question continues to fuel the debate about Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal life.
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