On Sunday, CBS aired Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey. It was groundbreaking television, as Oprah informed viewers that no topic was off limits. Indeed, the Sussexes talked about everything from tabloid rumors to difficult conversations with the royals to their breaking points within the monarchy. The interview revealed so much about Meghan and Harry.
This was really the first time the two have gotten a chance to speak candidly — and certainly since they stepped down as senior royals. They got into the nitty gritty on all of that. Just as a trigger warning, Meghan did delve into her intense mental health struggles, and we'll get into that a bit in this slideshow.
But the couple also talked about some lighter things as well, such as their second pregnancy and whether they're expecting a boy or a girl. Here are all the major takeaways from their sit-down with Oprah.
Harry Taught Meghan How To Curtsy
When Meghan first met Queen Elizabeth, Harry realized during the car ride over that Meghan didn't know how to curtsy. So they quickly practiced a few times outside (with some help from Sarah Ferguson) before Meghan greeted the Queen. "Apparently I did a very deep curtsy," she joked to Oprah about the occasion.
They Actually Got Married Before the Big Royal Wedding
During the royal wedding preparations, Meghan began to see that the event was going to be less about her and Harry and more about the public and the monarchy as an institution. So she and Harry arranged to be married three days earlier in a private ceremony.
"This spectacle is for the world. But we want our union between us, so the vows that we have framed in our room are just the two of us in our backyard," she said.
Meghan Claimed That Kate Middleton Made Her Cry
Remember those reports that claimed that Meghan had made Kate Middleton cry in the days leading up to the wedding? Meghan claimed that it was actually "the reverse."
"A few days before the wedding [Kate] was upset about something [to do with] flower girl dresses, and it made me cry and it really hurt my feelings," Meghan said. She added that Kate later apologized and sent flowers.
"I've forgiven her," Meghan said, calling Kate "a good person." So much for those feud rumors, huh?
The Royals Had Conversations With Harry About Archie's Skin Color
Meghan revealed that one or more of Harry's family members had approached him about Archie's potential skin color ahead of his birth. There were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin will be when he's born … what that would mean or look like," Meghan claimed. "That was relayed to me from Harry, that was from conversations that family had with him."
Both Meghan and Harry declined to name who those conversations were with.
It Wasn't Meghan & Harry's Decision Not To Give Archie a Title
When it was announced that Archie wouldn't be called Prince Archie, it seemed like a choice that was made by Meghan and Harry. They seemingly wanted to give their son a more normal life. But Meghan said during her interview that the decision was actually made by the palace — and it also meant Archie wouldn't be provided security like other titled royals.
Meghan said she was very upset at "the idea of our son not being safe and the first member of color in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be."
Meghan had Suicidal Thoughts
As the negative press attention built, Meghan admitted to Oprah that there were times where she had suicidal thoughts.
"I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially because I know how much loss he suffered. But I knew that if I didn't say it that I would do it," Meghan shared. "I just didn’t want to be alive anymore."
She added that she had tried to seek help for what she was going through, but she was told it would reflect badly on the monarchy for her to check in somewhere to work on her mental health. Ultimately, she said she connected with one of Princess Diana's old friends who helped Meghan through things along with Harry.
Editor's Note: For anyone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to help 24 hours a day. Call 800-273-8255.
The Couple's Royal Albert Hall Appearance Was So Emotional for Them
After Meghan opened up to Harry about her mental health, the two were scheduled to attend an event at the Royal Albert Hall that evening. Harry said he didn't think she should go, but Meghan said she couldn't be left alone. So they plastered on smiles and made it through.
Meghan told Oprah that the photos betray how they really felt. "What I see is how tightly his knuckles are gripped around mine. You can see the whites of our knuckles, because we are smiling and doing our job, but we're both just trying to hold on."
Meghan Didn't Have Access to Her Passport or Driver's License as a Royal
The duchess added that she felt extremely isolated during her time as a royal, in part because she couldn't really leave. She joked to Oprah that it wasn't like she could just call an Uber. And the palace had possession of many of her most important items. "My passport, my driver's license, my keys. All that gets turned over," Meghan said.
Harry & Meghan Didn't Originally Want To Leave the Royal Family
After the lack of support the royal family offered Meghan, the duo decided they wanted to take a step back. Meghan said they only wanted to have the kind of royal position that many other family members have (such as Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice) where they do some royal work but they're not as much in the public eye.
They were told no. So Harry and Meghan broke off altogether. But Harry said "without question" they would have stayed if the family had better supported them during their struggles.
Prince Charles Refused To Answer Harry's Phone Calls
During their discussions about stepping down, Harry said he spoke to the Queen three times and his father twice — before Charles started ignoring Harry's phone calls. Harry told Oprah that his dad now takes his calls, but their relationship is still fractured.
"There's a lot to work through there. I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like," Harry said. "I will always love him. There’s a lot of hurt that's happened and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to heal that relationship."
Harry Said the Royals Weren't Blindsided by Their Exit
To the public, Harry and Meghan's exit announcement may have come out of nowhere, but Harry insists that the royals knew it was happening. Not only did Harry have several conversations with his father and grandmother, but he also said he put his plans in writing for them — including when he and Meghan planned to announce things to the public.
"I never blindsided my grandmother," Harry said. "I have too much respect for her."
The Royal Family Cut Off Harry Off
Shortly after Harry and Meghan stepped down, he said the monarchy "literally cut me off financially." Harry had to scramble to care for his family and was able to do so in large part because of the money Princess Diana had left to him.
Eventually he also booked deals with Netflix and Spotify to keep the money coming in. "All I wanted was enough money to get security and keep my family safe," he told Oprah.
Tyler Perry Stepped Up for Them When the Royals Wouldn't
Although Harry's own family wouldn't help him, director/producer Tyler Perry did. Not only did he let the Sussexes live in his California home until they found one of their own, but Tyler also provided a security team. Their safety was Harry's biggest concern, and Tyler was able to help lessen that particular stressor. What a guy.
Harry & William Still Aren't on Good Terms
The Kate and Meghan feud may have been played up by the press, but the rift between Harry and William is very real. Harry told Oprah that the two are continuing to take space from one another.
"Time heals all things hopefully," Harry said, adding that he loves William "to bits" and feels bad that he's "trapped" in the monarchy.
Meghan's Biggest Regret
Oprah asked both of them if they had any regrets throughout this whole process. Harry said he didn't, but Meghan said she had one. "My regret is believing them when they said I would be protected," she said, referring to the monarchy.
She spoke throughout the interview about how she naively believed they would have her back, but in the end the institution often refused to speak up on her behalf.
Harry Said Meghan Saved Him
Harry said that "without question" meeting Meghan helped save him. "I didn't know I was trapped. But the moment that I met Meg and then our words sort of collided in the most amazing of ways," he told Oprah.
Meghan feels the same about Harry. "I think he saved all of us. He ultimately called it and was like, 'We've got to find a way for us, for Archie,'" she said. She then addressed Harry directly. "You made a decision that certainly saved my life. And saved all of us."
They Talk to the Queen Often
Despite their issues with the monarchy as a system, both Meghan and Harry spoke highly of the Queen during the interview. Meghan shared a sweet story about her first engagement with Her Majesty where Elizabeth gave her pearl earrings and a matching necklace and shared a blanket with Meghan when it got cold in the car.
The Sussexes said they still speak to the Queen often — even sometimes video chatting so she can see Archie.
They're Having a Baby Girl
After announcing their pregnancy in February, Meghan and Harry revealed during their Oprah interview that they're expecting a little girl. Meghan also said she's due this summer, so their daughter will be here in just a few months. It's going to be so fun to see Harry get to be a girl dad, and she's sure to be such a stylish baby thanks to Meghan.
After This Pregnancy, They're Done Having Children
The Sussexes are set on just being a family of four, so their baby girl will be their last child. "Two is it," Meghan said firmly during the interview. "To have a boy and then a girl, what more can you ask for?" Harry added.
Harry came from a two-child family, so it's familiar territory for him — although having a little girl will be a whole new ballgame for them both.
What Harry & Meghan Are Doing Now
Now that the duo live in California, their lives are much more peaceful. Harry spoke of bike rides and beach walks and playing with their son, their dogs, and their chickens. (By the way, their chicken coop is called Archie's Chick Inn.) Harry revealed that Archie is also saying lots of words these days, such as "palm tree," "house," and that he'll tell people to "drive safe" when they leave the house.
Despite all the turmoil, the Sussexes are doing well and enjoying their family life. "I'm really proud of us," Harry said.
So are we.
