How to read between the lines of Buckingham Palace’s response to Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview
The IndependentStay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After Diana’s Panorama interview with Martin Bashir, in November 1995, the Palace remained silent for a whole month until a statement was finally issued saying that the Queen had written to Charles and Diana saying “an early divorce is desirable.” While the response to Oprah has been slightly more forthcoming - hardly surprising given the speed of the news cycle compared to 26 years ago - the latest statement’s brevity and tone indicates that not a lot has changed when it comes to the way in which the monarchy is prepared to publicly talk about itself. There is one notable line, however, that provides a gentle but totally unmistakable rejection The statement also emphasises family, with a heartfelt and informal reminder that “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members”. As we look at where the monarchy goes from here, to consider protocol and historical precedence, is perhaps not enough Because, just as Meghan told Oprah, “this was different”. Meghan was the first high-profile royal to join the family in the true internet age and Meghan was also experiencing racism as the first mixed race woman marrying into the British royal family.