'I'M READY TO TALK'
Meghan Markle claims Palace BANNED her from previous Oprah interview and says: ‘I’m finally able to speak for myself’
MEGHAN Markle has sensationally claimed the Palace blocked her from doing an interview with Oprah Winfrey before her wedding to Prince Harry.
The Duchess of Sussex made the bombshell allegation in a new trailer for her interview with the chat show queen released today - as she declared “I’m ready to talk”.
👑 Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news...
8
8
8
In the clip, released by CBS, Meghan claims she wasn’t even allowed to speak to Oprah in 2018 without someone listening in.
The 39-year-old mother said she was forced to turn down the interview, saying: “That wasn’t my choice to make.”
She also told Oprah that it was tough to go from having a "really independent life" to one that was within the "construct" of the Royal Family.
Meghan said that she and Prince Harry now have the "ability to make our own choices" in a way that they couldn't three years ago.
In the new clip, Oprah says: "I called you either February or March 2018 before the wedding asking, would you please give me an interview and you said sorry it’s not the right time.
"And finally, we get to sit down and have this conversation."
The 39-year-old responds: "I remember that conversation very well. I wasn’t even allowed to have that conversation with you personally, right. There had to be people from the... sitting there."
When asked if people were in the room while they were having the conversation, Meghan says: "yeah, even on that call."
The sensational new claims come as...
- 10-aides are 'lining up' to help the Palace with their investigation into the bullying claims
- Meghan's friends said the Oprah interview had brought 'relief' and been 'cathartic'
- Meghan had 'furious rows' with palace aides over freebie designer clothes
- Meghan's pal accused the palace of racism - and said the star 'knew it would get ugly' before the Oprah interview aired
- Harry 'spoke to his wife about her behaviour when talking to staff' - even 'gently admonishing her' for the way she spoke to them
- The former actress 'turned and hissed' at a member of staff during a row in a Fiji market - leaving the employee 'in tears'
Telling the talk-show host why now is the right time to speak, Meghan says: "Well, so many things. That we’re on the other side of a lot of life experience that’s happened.
"And also that we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn’t have said yes to you then. That wasn’t my choice to make.
"So, as an adult who lived a really independent life to then go into this construct that’s different than I think what people imagine it to be, it’s really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes."
She continues: "I’m ready to talk. To be able to just make a choice on your own. And to be able to speak for yourself."
The explosive interview, conducted by talk-show powerhouse Oprah Winfrey, will be aired on CBS in the US on Sunday night, and then in the UK on ITV on Monday.
It is set to allow Meghan and Harry the freedom to "speak their truth".
Oprah has already said that ";no subject is off-limits" during the bombshell two-hour special.
And in a dramatic preview of their tell-all interview, Harry said that his "biggest concern was history repeating itself" in a hint towards his mother's own struggle in the Firm.
Meghan cradled her baby bump while the host asked her whether she was "silent, or silenced" by the Royal Family.
And the Duchess of Sussex also accused Buckingham Palace of “perpetuating falsehoods” in a startling preview clip of the interview.
8
8
8
In a trailer released earlier this week, a clearly angry Meghan said: “I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.
“And if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.”
It has been a dramatic few days for the Royal Family.
Prince Philip has undergone a "successful" heart operation after he was transferred to St Bartholomew's in London on Monday.
He has now been moved back to King Edward VII hospital.
The 99-year-old will stay there "for a number of days" - which means he will be in hospital when the tell-all Meghan and Harry interview is broadcasted in the US.
Meanwhile, the Queen has launched a probe into claims Meghan Markle bullied staff and forced them to quit.
The investigation will look into allegations made in that Meghan left behind “a lot of broken people”.
This includes aides described as being “completely destroyed”, it is alleged.
At least 10 royal aides who worked for Meghan have been "queueing up" to help with the shocking probe, claiming that they were "humiliated" by the Duchess at Kensington Palace.
8
8
In an unprecedented move, the Palace released a statement saying they were "very concerned" and "won't tolerate harassment".
The Duke of Edinburgh is undergoing testing for his pre-existing heart problem at the hospital, which is one of the country’s leading specialist cardiac centres.
Buckingham Palace confirmed yesterday that Philip, who is just three months away from his 100th birthday, had an operation and will remain in hospital for a "number of days".
He has so far spent a total of 17 nights being cared for by medics - his longest ever stay in hospital.
A statement said: "The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
"His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days."
There are claims that while CBS will go full-steam ahead broadcasting the Oprah interview, UK broadcasters may take a more cautious approach.
Most read in News
It was suggested that ITV "will cancel" the screening of the interview if Prince Philip's health worsens.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Sources said the mood at Buckingham Palace has "shifted" after the Duke was transferred to a new hospital earlier this week.
The American broadcaster, however, has "no intentions" of changing the date.
Meghan Markle ‘blamed Kate, Camilla and Charles’s aides for leaking stories about her’
Topics