MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry say they want to be out of the limelight – until it suits them to have attention, a royal expert has claimed.
The couple were blasted by Richard Fitzwilliams after the latest trailer for their explosive ‘tell-all’ interview with Oprah Winfrey aired overnight.
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The footage features Meghan accusing the Royal Family of “perpetuating falsehoods” and telling the interviewer “there’s a lot has been lost”.
And now Mr Fitzwilliams said the couple’s desire for privacy simply means they want to court press coverage on their own terms.
It comes amid claims that:
- 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
- The Duchess ignored aides’ advice not to wear earrings gifted by the Saudi prince weeks after the murder of a journalist
- The couple ‘will never return to the balcony of Buckingham Palace for royal events’
- Harry ‘spoke to his wife about her behaviour when talking to staff’ – even ‘gently admonishing her’ for the way she spoke to them
Mr Fitzwilliams told Sun Online the newest trailer was “shocking” – particularly in light of the couple’s repeated demands for privacy.
“What they meant is they’re out of the limelight – except when they want to be in the limelight,” he said.
“I believe the interview should not have been given in the first place, but when the Duke of Edinburgh, at 99, is seriously ill, it should have been postponed, or they should have asked for it to be postponed.
“There doesn’t seem to have been any thought about it.
“It is a very, very tough time for the family.”
And he said the royals face an ‘attack’ by Meghan and Harry.
“The second trailer for Harry and Meghan’s interview on Oprah makes it clear that the no-holds barred interview will contain attacks on the Royal Family,” he added.
“The interview was unnecessary.”
Even before the trailer was released, the split between the royals had seemingly deepened this week following claims that the Duchess of Sussex, 39, allegedly bullied staff during her time at Kensington Palace.
A source told The Times she drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.
Meghan strongly denies the allegations.
But royal aides said they were left ‘shaking with fear’ following run-ins with the Duchess.
Last night, Buckingham Palace announced a formal probe into the allegations. Members of staff will be invited to contribute in confidence.
The Palace said: “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article.
“Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Royal Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.
“The household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”
In response to the reports, Meghan and Harry accused the Queen’s staff of orchestrating a “calculated smear campaign” ahead of their explosive two-hour interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The chat is set to be aired at 9pm on Monday on ITV, despite widespread criticism as Prince Philip remains ill in hospital.
In the latest teaser clip for the interview, Oprah asked how Meghan felt about “the Palace hearing you speak your truth.”
“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,” she replied.
“And, if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already.”
