The brothers made their first joint public appearance since the interview at their grandfather's funeral, engaging in animated conversation as they left St. George's Chapel. While it marked a positive start, a close friend suggested that the underlying issues ran deep and weren't easily resolved.
Oprah discussed the interview's far-reaching impact during a conversation with Nancy O'Dell on talkshoplive, where she was promoting her book, "What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing." She admitted to being unprepared for the magnitude of the interview's impact and the extensive preparation it entailed.
When asked if she was surprised by Harry and Meghan's openness during the interview, Oprah conceded that she was taken aback. In particular, she expressed shock at Meghan's revelation about conversations concerning Archie's skin tone.
Oprah's jaw figuratively dropped at that moment, and she paused before incredulously responding, "What?" This reaction became a viral meme on social media.
Oprah highlighted that her only interaction with Harry and Meghan before the interview was through text messages, emphasizing their shared intention of telling the truth. She explained her customary practice of having a significant pre-interview conversation to align goals and intentions.
She underscored that the interview's power lay in the couple's willingness to be open, vulnerable, and truthful. While she gave herself credit for asking probing questions, she attributed the interview's impact to Harry and Meghan's candid responses.
The element of surprise played a pivotal role in the interview's bombshell-like impact. Oprah stressed the importance of controlling the release of content to prevent leaks or misconstruals before the actual interview.
The most shocking revelation during the interview was Harry and Meghan's accusation that a family member had expressed concerns about Archie's skin color. Harry didn't share further details about the conversation.
The couple also spoke candidly about Meghan's struggle with depression, revealing a point where she didn't want to live anymore. Despite seeking professional help, she was denied due to institutional concerns.
Other revelations included Harry's claim that his father stopped taking his calls and Meghan's clarification about a reported rift with Kate Middleton, revealing that it was Kate who had made her cry.
Tensions between the Sussexes and the royal family reached an all-time high in recent weeks, but these tensions were momentarily set aside when Harry traveled to the UK to attend his grandfather's funeral.
It's been reported that Harry met the Queen privately at least twice during his trip and had conversations with his father and brother after the funeral at Windsor Castle. Charles and William also met with Harry within the castle's grounds to ensure that their words weren't misconstrued.
This meeting followed the royal brothers taking "baby steps" toward healing their strained relationship as they walked back to the Queen's residence from St. George's Chapel.
During her conversation with Nancy, Oprah also revealed her philanthropic efforts during the pandemic, where she discreetly mailed $15,000 checks to individuals in need. She shared her motivation to help those less fortunate and her commitment to making a positive impact.
Oprah also expressed her emotional reaction to the guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin's trial, emphasizing the significance of the moment as a step toward justice and validation for marginalized communities. She invoked the names of Emmett Till, Breonna Taylor, and Mr. Castille, emphasizing that justice was finally served for them in this moment.
