Oprah Winfrey's Regret in Interviewing Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: A Retrospective

As of my last knowledge update in August 2023, Oprah Winfrey had not publicly expressed any regret regarding her interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Yet, the implications of that controversial interview continue to have lasting effects. The third hour special aired in March 2021 garnered significant attention, making it one of the most watched television moments in history.

The Interview and Its Impact

The interview sparked widespread discussion on several key issues, including mental health, racism, and the dynamics within the British royal family.

Oprah has defended the interview, emphasizing its importance in bringing awareness to the struggles faced by the couple. She argued that her approach allowed Meghan and Harry to share their experiences without interruption, thus creating a more authentic and candid dialogue. However, some critics argued that a more rigorous challenge of certain statements was necessary.

Eighteen hours of interviews poured out a torrent of slammed doors, verifiable falsehoods, torrents of raw emotion, and the British monarchy and royal family being exposed in a way that most thought would never happen.

Oprah's Reputation and the Interview

While some view Oprah's handling of the interview as a hallmark of her commitment to truth and representation, others have pointed out the reputational damage it caused. The interview was a high-risk, high-reward move for Oprah, as she bet on the most famous couple on the planet. This interview was intended to cement her place as a TV royalty.

However, the consequences of accepting the couple's stories without fully challenging their veracity were severe. Oprah was criticized for her failure to probe deeper and question the veracity of some of the claims made. The most notable criticism came from Oprah herself, who was castigated for not standing firm against the lies and exaggerations.

Falsehoods and Controversy

Among the most notable were the 19 known lies identified and three more that couldn't be debunked but also couldn't be proven. Nancy Travis, executive producer of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) at the time, suggested that Oprah should have known better and had a responsibility to verify the stories, yet the network excused the interview by saying that Oprah intended to balance the story.

The interview was filled with egotistical bravado, with Meghan and Harry repeatedly calling out Oprah for attention and validation. The high level of egotism displayed by the couple during the interview, including their constant need to be recognized and validated, raised questions about the sincerity of their claims.

Conclusion

While the interview has since become a historical moment in media and entertainment, the public and critics alike continue to debate its impact on Oprah's legacy. For many, the interview was a turning point that damaged Oprah's reputation as an impartial and insightful interviewer, leaving a lasting mark on both Oprah and the public's perception of the royal couple's story.