PRINCE HARRY says that the past year has been “unbelievably tough” for him and wife Megham Markle after they stepped away from Royal life.
The couple took the decision amid concern at the media scrutiny faced and the constraints of their roles with the Royal family.
They expressed particular concern at the intrusion and perceived racist attitudes of many within the British media toward Markle, who is African American.
Harry is set to open up about his experience further in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In a promotional clip shared ahead of the interview’s broadcast, Harry spoke about the experience of his late mother, Princess Diana, who was the subject of intense and undue media scrutiny following her divorce from Prince Charles.
“I’m just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side, because I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago,” he said, adding, “because it’s been unbelievably tough for the two of us.”
“But at least we have each other,” he continued.
Diana died in 1997 of injuries suffered in a car crash in Paris. At the time of the crash, she was being pursued at high speed by members of the paparazzi.
The clip, which aired on CBS News this past Sunday, includings a soundbite from Winfrey claiming “You said some pretty shocking things here,” without indicating what she may be referring to.
Markle does not speak in the promo clip.
CBS has released two clips from ‘Oprah with Meghan and Harry’
in one, Prince Harry tells Oprah that he had worried about history repeating itself
the special has reportedly been extended from 90-min to 2 hours#OprahMeghanHarrypic.twitter.com/wWct5GOjGq— Laura Kramer (@Laura_Kramer) March 1, 2021
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex married at Windsor Castle in May 2018.
Their son, Archie, was born a year later, while the couple have confirmed they are expecting a second child later this year.
They sparked controversy after stepping away from royal life in March 2020, citing the intense and unneccessary media scrutiny.
The situation was due to be reviewed this month however Buckingham Palace has confirmed the couple will not be returning to royal duties.
Harry is also set to give up his honorary military titles in a move that makes the couple’s split from the royal family both the formal and final.
Despite this, a spokesperson for the couple has claimed the couple remain devoted to their “duty and service to the UK”.
A spokesperson for the couple hit back at suggestions that Meghan and Harry were not devoted to duty.
“As evidenced by their work over the past year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the UK. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role.”