Why Meghan Markle refused to be interviewed with Prince Harry during royal life

Meghan Markle reportedly declined to conduct a joint interview with Prince Harry during their time as working royals due to a prior arrangement with Oprah Winfrey, according to a royal author.

However, according to Courtiers, a book by journalist and royal correspondent Valentine Low, Meghan had already agreed to a separate interview with Oprah as early as 2019, two years before it aired.

The revelation comes on the back of the couple’s tour of Southern Africa in 2019, where palace staff had tried to secure a joint sit-down interview with British journalists to help manage press relations. 

One proposal reportedly included Harry speaking with ITV’s Tom Bradby, who shared a longstanding relationship with the prince.

But according to Low, Meghan was "distinctly cool" toward the idea, her focus already turned toward the US media. 

"At the same time as preparing for the Africa tour, the team was trying to persuade the couple it would be appropriate to do an interview with the British media," Low writes. 

“Sam Cohen suggested Tom Bradby of ITV, who already had a relationship with Harry, would be a good idea.”

The broadcast was ultimately delayed and aired in March 2021, sparking global headlines with the couple’s allegations against the royal family.

“There was one proviso,” Low writes. 

“He and Meghan could not do the interviews together, or be in the same shot. That would go against the deal with Oprah.”

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