Prince William and Kate Championed a Firm Rebuttal to Harry and Meghan's Oprah Interview Claims
Prince William and Kate, the future King and Queen Consort, reportedly took serious issue with the allegations raised during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah. The revelations triggered an immediate, hard-hitting reaction from the couple, who reached out to the Queen's courtiers advocating for a strong response.
The assertive phrase "recollections may vary," which was approved by Queen Elizabeth II, is said to have originated from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's team, according to royal author Valentine Low.
The interview given by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on March 7, 2021, was possibly the most explosive royal interview since Princess Diana's infamous 1995 Panorama conversation with the BBC. The claims made by Harry and Meghan, however, were far more inflammatory compared to Diana's indirect allegations against the then-Prince Charles.
In recent times, Harry has repeatedly invoked his mother's fight against the established order, to the extent that some insiders and commentators believe Harry and Meghan are attempting to follow the trail blazed by the late Princess. What Harry may not have anticipated, though, is that William, too, witnessed the royal upheavals of the '90s, and due to his age, he was a significant confidant of their mother.
Operating within the constraints of official royal communications, William and Kate sought to devise a response that would refute the Sussexes' claims without being overtly confrontational.
Low revealed a palace source's account of the crafting of the official statement, "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge insisted on a more assertive tone," said the insider. "They unanimously felt the necessity for a response that underscored the institution's disagreement with much of what was claimed."
Prince William, in particular, strived to make it clear to rational viewers and readers that the accusations were not universally accepted. He urged the courtiers to communicate firmly that "this does not stand."
At the time of the explosive interview, Queen Elizabeth II was preoccupied with the failing health of her husband, Prince Philip, which required senior royals to take swift action to address serious allegations, such as the implied racism.
Low further shared how Duchess Catherine played a key role in countering the Sussexes' allegations, highlighting the need for their response to stand up to historical scrutiny. She noted, "Unless this phrase or a similar one is incorporated, all their statements will be presumed accurate."
Page Six has provided a detailed report on Low's insights.