Royal correspondents rubbish Harry and Meghan’s fears of media conspiracy after they accused press of being ‘bigoted’ and claimed palace lays on ‘holiday parties’ for journalists to guarantee positive media coverage
- Duchess of Sussex claimed Buckingham Palace hosts media for ‘holiday parties’
- In response Royal expert Robert Jobson said: ‘There are no holiday parties’
- Harry referred to ‘invisible contracts’ between institution and ‘bigoted’ tabloids
- Ian Murray, Society of Editors, said couple didn’t have ‘any supporting evidence’
Royal correspondents have rubbished Harry and Meghan’s claims that suggest they are facing a media conspiracy and the royal family has ‘invisible contracts’ with the press.
The couple made a number of claims about the British tabloid media in their bombshell interview aired last night in the US.
Prince Harry told Oprah Winfrey that the press is ‘bigoted’ and that there is an ‘invisible contract’ between the royal family and the tabloids to guarantee positive media coverage.
Meghan said their relationship with the media was like the ‘wild wild West’ and said the palace holds ‘holiday parties’ for journalists to try and get better press.
But their claims were today rubbished by royal correspondents, and the Society of Editors said it was ‘not acceptable’ for the couple to make such allegations without evidence.
Asked by Winfrey, in a previously unseen clip, if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied ‘It was a large part of it’, adding that he believed the UK press is ‘bigoted’
In the interview, set to be screened tonight on ITV, Meghan tells Oprah: ‘I mean I think there’s a reason that these tabloids have holiday parties at the palace.
‘They’re hosted by the palace, the tabloids are. You know, there is a construct that’s at play there, and because from the beginning of our relationship they were so attacking and inciting so much racism really.’
Asked by Winfrey, in a previously unseen clip, if the couple left the UK because of racism, Harry replied ‘It was a large part of it’, adding that he believed the UK press is ‘bigoted’.
He continued: ‘To simplify it, it’s a case of if you as a family member are willing to wine, dine and give full access to these reporters, then you will get better press.’
Royal expert Robert Jobson (right) told MailOnline: ‘There are no holiday parties. Occasionally on a royal tour the ambassador will invite the press or the local press to a reception’. Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, said he was left wondering why he had never been invited to one of the ‘parties’ (left)
Recalling a conversation he had at a Sentebale fundraiser, Harry said he was urged by someone who is ‘friends with a lot of the editors’: ‘Please don’t do this with the media, they will destroy your life.’
He said he was told: ‘You need to understand that the UK is very bigoted,’ to which he replied: ‘The UK is not bigoted, the UK press is bigoted, specifically the tabloids.’
He added: ‘But unfortunately if the source of information is inherently corrupt or racist or biased then that filters out to the rest of society.’
After Harry said his family are scared of the tabloids turning on them, Winfrey said: ‘Turning on them for what? They’re the royal family.’
Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, said: ‘It is not acceptable for the Duke and Duchess to make such claims without providing any supporting evidence.
‘If it is simply the case the Sussexes feel that the press by questioning their actions and commenting on their roles when working as Royals funded by the taxpayer were being racist then they are mistaken.
Responding to the claims Royal expert Robert Jobson tweeted: ‘Meghan claims tabloids have ‘holiday parties’ at the palace. What on earth are they talking about ????’
Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, tweeted: ‘I am wondering why I never got a ticket’
Emily Andrews, Royal Editor of the Mail On Sunday tweeted: ‘Meghan says the [palace] press team didn’t defend her when ‘things weren’t true. That is just not right.’
‘In the case of Meghan Markle and her engagement and marriage to Prince Harry there was universal supporting coverage in the UK media which reflected the warmth shown to the couple by the British people. But that warmth could not and should not mean the press should be expected to refuse to report, investigate and comment on the couple’s lifestyle and actions.’
He added: ‘The UK media has a proud record of calling out racism and also being at the forefront of campaigns to support mental health awareness, another of the issues raised by the couple.
The Duke of Sussex speaks on stage at the Sentebale Audi Concert 2019
‘It is also unreasonable for the Duke and Duchess to conflate the legitimate coverage provided by the edited and regulated UK media with the wild west of social media.
‘It is strange indeed, that the couple have attacked the UK media previously for alleged intrusion into their private lives yet have opened up on several occasions to media in the US, the latest event being yesterday’s interview with Oprah Winfrey which will play to a world-wide audience.
‘The UK media has never shied away from holding a spotlight up to those in positions of power, celebrity or influence. If sometimes the questions asked are awkward and embarrassing, then so be it, but the press is most certainly not racist. ‘
Responding to Meghan’s claims that the Palace regularly hold ‘holiday parties’ for the press, royal expert Robert Jobson told MailOnline: ‘There are no holiday parties.
‘Occasionally on a royal tour the ambassador or the High Commissioner of the Great Britain will invite the press or the local press to a reception or drinks reception, where they have an hour and they can talk off the record about the trip with members of the royal family, and that happens Queen downwards.
‘It’s not a press holiday party, it’s not a some sort of way of controlling the events, it’s simply a normal and polite thing to do.’
‘It’s always been welcome and always off the record and I was surprised. Number one, a room tour is never a party it’s usually about 18 hours hard work a day and for both royals and anyone covering so I don’t really know what she’s talking about really, to be honest I think it’s a bit of an odd expression.’
He earlier tweeted: ‘Prince Harry tells Oprah his family are ‘scared’ of the UK tabloids and there is an ‘invisible contract’ between institution and the UK tabloids.
‘Meghan claims tabloids have ‘holiday parties’ at the palace. What on earth are they talking about ????’
And Russell Myers, royal editor at The Daily Mirror, tweeted: ‘Meghan has just claimed Buckingham Palace throw ‘holiday parties’ for the UK tabloids and now I am wondering why I never got a ticket.’
Emily Andrews, Royal Editor of the Mail On Sunday, also responded to Meghan’s claims that she hadn’t been protected by the palace’s communications team, tweeting: ‘Meghan says the [palace] press team didn’t defend her when ‘things weren’t true.’
‘That is just not right. The press team with whom I interacted defended them again & again & again, told me things were wrong (so didn’t publish) & indeed tried to stop me when true.’
Royal experts blast ‘self-indulgent and selfish’ Harry and Meghan as they say Queen will be ‘absolutely devastated’ by their ‘astonishing’ Oprah interview
By Paul Thompson for MailOnline
Royal experts today blasted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as ‘self-indulgent and selfish’ and said the Queen would be ‘absolutely devastated’ by their interview.
Commentators have been giving their views following the bombshell two-hour chat Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey, shown on CBS.
The interview saw Meghan make of a series of astonishing claims, including that conversations were held about how dark the skin colour of their son might be.
The Duchess also confessed she had suicidal thoughts at the height of her crisis in the monarchy and asked the palace to seek professional help for her.
During their televised chat, which will also air on ITV tonight, Meghan also claimed that the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry ahead of her wedding.
Among those giving their views were Angela Levin, author of Harry: Conversations with the Prince, Robert Jobson, who wrote Diana: Closely Guarded Secret.
Russell Myers, Daily Mirror royal editor and a commentator on ITV’s Lorraine editor, also gave his views on a Facebook live event hosted by True Royalty TV.
Speaking on a Facebook live event hosted by True Royal TV, this is the verdict of the three royal experts:
ROBERT JOBSON
Robert Jobson
This was a performance from beginning to the end. Self-indulgent and selfish. They have disrespected to our country.
They have both made some very serious allegations and know they Monarchy can’t fight back. The entire interview did not respect the Queen. They have attacking the institution of the monarchy. It is not showbiz. This is a gross insult to the British people.
They have thrown a big hand grenade into the Royal Family and the monarchy.
They have accused the Royal Family of being racist, but they have not said who. That is cowardice. You cannot make that slur. They are saying the British Press are racist. Where is the evidence?
It is just appalling that they have been allowed to say those things without singling out who it was. They should never have raised this.
So much of what she said is astonishing and I am not sure I believe it.
They have said duty does not mean anything and that they were not able to leave and if they had the option to leave, they would.
The Queen has been devoted to service. It is just outrageous.
He is saying they are trapped and basically saying Prince Charles does not want to be King. That is just wrong. You cannot say that. They have become slightly deluded.
The only winner here is Oprah Winfrey.
RUSSELL MYERS
Russell Myers
That was the most extraordinary piece of television I have ever watched. The number of bombshells were extraordinary.
They will come a cropper, but there are elements of what they said that need to be taken seriously. Meghan was a young, vulnerable woman and what she said she went through is distressing and there are questions that need to be answered.
On the backdrop of a global pandemic their lack of awareness is breath-taking.
They have just bought a £10million home. There is no correlations to their experience of most normal people who were watching. They will be absolutely staggered.
When the Queen wakes up reads what has been said she will be absolutely devastated.
They have slammed almost every single member of the Royal Family.
They have said duty does not mean anything and that they were not able to leave and if they had the option to leave, they would.
The Queen has been devoted to service. It is just outrageous.
ANGELA LEVIN
Angela Levin
I was just so absorbed by all the attacks. It was quite astonishing.
Meghan made it sound as if she was in prison. That was her narrative. She said there was no one there for her, but Harry was by her side. One of the Queen’s most trusted assistants was given to her. It is hard to say there was no one.
People care about the Queen and the Royal Family and to her someone come in and smash the lot of them, and they are so forceful in their comments, that it made me feel very easy.
She says they were furious about losing their security, but they were out of the country.
It is distressing to hear her say she was suicidal and traumatic that she asked for help. Prince Harry sought help after his mother died. I can hardly believe that Harry did not help. That is a catastrophic thing to say.
I am sure in a few years’ time Harry will very much regret doing this interview. They have no emotional intelligence.
The Palace will say the minimum. It is too much to take on.
Other commentators gave their views elsewhere.
KJ MATTHEWS
Entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles, speaking on BBC Breakfast.
I’m still processing all that I heard. I expected to hear some revelations, but i never imagined I would hear that many revelations.
KJ Matthews
I mean there were so many bombshells, I don’t know which one to focus on. Surprising, shocking, it really didn’t go over well here in terms of the monarchy and the image that we had of them.
It really made us look somewhat differently at the monarchy, but when it comes to Prince Harry and Meghan, we feel much more sympathetic to them now. I think we have a better understanding of just why they felt they had to cut ties with the British Royal Family.
And I think some people here really feel sorry for her, especially the issue about her feeling suicidal. The fact that she brought up the possibility that they were talking about the skin colour of her unborn son.
I think that in a million years we would have never thought she was experiencing that, and so it will be hard, I think, for us to change now from what we’ve heard and see the monarchy in a positive light.
I think that from the moment that she was engaged to Prince Harry, we all thought very flattering things about the British monarchy, we were happy to see her introduced and welcomed into the family.
But now with all these allegations and these bombshells, it’s just hard to see them in the same way. I do believe their image has been tarnished and from what I’m even seeing on social media, especially here in America, I haven’t seen one sympathetic viewpoint siding with the Royal Family.
‘I’m hearing now Oprah will appear live on the CBS Morning Show to reveal and show clips of the interview that we have not seen, so there’s even more. There could be more bombshells that we see. It’s just the gift that keeps on giving, and it’s quite shocking. So I will be surprised to see what else she can drop on us.’
CHRIS SHIP
Chris Ship
ITV’s royal correspondent spoke on Good Morning Britain about Meghan Markle’s claim that someone in the Royal Family had ‘concerns’ about ‘how dark’ Archie’s skin would be before he was born because she is mixed-race and Harry is white.
Mr Ship said:
I should be clear here. Now I have been told it is not Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, or the Queen.
We are left with two family members.
You are left with either his father Prince Charles, or his brother Prince William, or their wives.
They have protected the Queen throughout this.
They have Zoom calls with the Queen, but equally, they are being very critical of the organisation of which she is the head of. Therefore you ARE criticising the Queen.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview Oprah Winfrey has been shown on CBS in the US
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