With a bit over a day to go until Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s heavily-hyped interview with Oprah Winfrey airs, relations between the US-based couple and the palace remain frosty, with ‘insiders’ once again using the tabloids to hit out at them.
UK paper The Sun, a favourite of dubious, unnamed royal sources, has published a claim that palace staff referred to Prince Harry as “the hostage” in the lead-up to his wedding to Markle, and that she herself was “always looking for drama” and reasons to be “deprived.”
Their report also claims that Harry once yelled “what Meghan wants, Meghan gets” at staff, in a dispute over a tiara that was not available for an unscheduled hair appointment in the days before the event.
This latest news comes just days after claims that Markle “bullied” several palace staff out of their jobs, and “undermined” others. Prince Harry’s former communications secretary filed a complaint on behalf of the staff in 2018, and Harry allegedly “begged” that it not be escalated.
This latest flurry of tabloid gossip suggests that maybe the royals are nervous about what will come out in the Oprah interview, and are trying to get ahead of any bad press by spreading stories that paint the pair in a negative light.
Reportedly, the palace has not been given an advance look at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview, and there are claims that the Queen and Prince William are “furious” at what gossip they might potentially spill about the family.
Another unnamed source told US Weekly:
“They feel that by sharing [Harry and Meghan’s] side of the story, the entire royal family will be painted in an unfair way. The palace knows that they will not be cast in the best light by Harry and Meghan on Sunday and doesn’t want Harry and Meghan coming off as victims.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have denied the latest round of claims against them. Following the bullying story, a representative for the pair told the press:
“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”
Friends and former co-stars of Markle have also come out to deny the claims, with Patrick J Adams of Suits saying:
“It’s OBSCENE that the Royal Family, who’s newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of “bullying” against a woman who herself was basically forced to flea the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health.”
