(Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Karwai Tang)
Prince Harry reportedly gave Meghan Markle strict instructions ahead of a high-profile interview, a royal biographer has revealed. The couple, who married in 2018 after meeting in 2016, were not pleased with Markle’s appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair’s September 2017 issue. During this time, Harry apparently took extra precautions, advising his wife to steer clear of discussing three sensitive topics: Donald Trump, race, and their relationship.
According to Tom Bower’s book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War between the Windsors, Markle was initially “ecstatic” when she was invited to feature in the magazine. However, once the article, written by Sam Kashner, hit the stands with the headline “She’s Just Wild About Harry,” Markle reportedly became furious. She felt the interview, meant to spotlight her career, especially her philanthropic work and acting role on Suits, was overshadowed by her romance with Prince Harry. Markle had also told Harry that the interview would focus on the 100th episode of Suits, being filmed in Toronto at the time.
According to Bower’s account, Kashner was told by Markle’s team that “his interviewee was under strict orders from both Harry and Keleigh Thomas Morgan [her publicist at PR firm Sunshine Sachs].” Harry had requested Meghan to avoid mentioning sensitive topics, including Donald Trump, race, their relationship, and especially himself. “He was not to be mentioned,” Bower noted. told by The Mirror.
Despite these instructions, the interview did touch upon their relationship. Markle told Kashner, “We’re a couple. We’re in love… I’m sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time.”
This caused significant fallout, with Markle reportedly calling her publicists in a panic after Buckingham Palace expressed fury over the article. Bower claimed, “Within hours, Meghan called Ken Sunshine and Keleigh Thomas Morgan. Hysterically, she described Buckingham Palace’s fury at ‘Wild About Harry.'” Meghan allegedly felt that her comments about Harry should have been removed and that her philanthropy should have been the focus.
December 1, 2017: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Step Out For Their First Royal Engagement. pic.twitter.com/yEkytKZcwO
This incident wasn’t the first time Harry had voiced concerns about the media treatment of Markle. In 2016, he publicly addressed the harassment and racial bias Markle faced, stating, “Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her… This is not a game – it is her life and his.” pic.twitter.com/0JTufVwddM
