News Analysis India

Tag: Meghan Markle

  • Meghan Markle, Prince Harry set to partner with Netflix for new animated series

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are all set to develop their second Netflix project, which will focus on a 12-year-old girl’s adventures, in a new animated series.

    According to Fox News, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Productions announced on Wednesday that the working title ‘Pearl’ will be developed for the streaming service.

    It was Meghan who created the idea of the family-focused animated series, which was inspired by a variety of women from history. She will also serve as an executive producer with filmmaker David Furnish, who has previously worked as a producer on ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Sherlock Gnomes’.

    In a statement, Meghan said, “Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life’s daily challenges. I’m thrilled that Archewell Productions, partnered with the powerhouse platform of Netflix, and these incredible producers, will together bring you this new animated series, which celebrates extraordinary women throughout history.”

    The royal couple recently signed a deal to create content for Netflix and are also creating content podcasts for Spotify. As per Fox News, their first project with Netflix will centre on the Invictus Games, which gives sick and injured military personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports.

    Meghan and Harry have been detangling their lives from the British royal family and are currently residing in California.

  • Meghan Markle’s father accuses Oprah of taking advantage of Prince Harry

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Seems like Meghan Markle’s father Thomas Markle has now shifted his target of criticising Meghan and Prince Harry to American host Oprah Winfrey.

    The Duchess of Sussex’s father recently appeared on Australia’s ’60 Minutes’ show, and claimed that he and Prince Charles have one thing in common that they have both been ghosted by Meghan and Harry, but kept his harshest criticism reserved for Oprah, reported TMZ.

    Targeting Oprah for her recent mental health docuseries ‘The Me You Can’t See’, Thomas claimed that the American host took advantage of a “weakened” Prince Harry to build her own network.

    He said, “I have things to say. Oprah Winfrey, for one, I think is playing Harry and Meghan. I think she is using them to build her network and build her new shows and I think she’s taken advantage of a very weakened man and has got him to say things that you just shouldn’t be saying on television.”

    WATCH | ‘The Me You Can’t See’ trailer: Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry reveal mental health struggles

    On a related note, Oprah already owns a cable channel named ‘OWN’ that is jointly owned by Discovery Inc. She also owns the Harpo Studios that launched on January 1, 2011, replacing the Discovery Health Channel.

    However, her interview with Meghan and Harry got massive attention as compared to her previous interviews.

    Accusing her further, Thomas added, “She [Oprah] will disagree of course, and she may even sue me. I don’t care. But, the bottom line is she is working with Harry.”

    Thomas also revealed that he learned of the birth of her new granddaughter Lilibet from Harry and Meghan’s public statement, and he found that disappointing.

    He said, “I see them both ghosting their families completely and now they are alone in a huge house where they can probably accommodate 20 people in but it’s just the 4 of them. I don’t think they are going to have relatives over for a barbeque next week or next month.”

    Coming back to Oprah Winfrey’s talk show, the 67-year-old host has worked with Prince Harry quite a bit lately, first by interviewing him and Meghan for their bombshell, tell-all interview which included claims of racism and allegedly turning a blind eye to mental health needs against the royal family.

    Most recently, Oprah produced ‘The Me You Can’t See’ with Harry, a miniseries on Apple TV+ about mental health in which the royal made more bold claims about his family and his past struggles.

  • Oprah Winfrey defends Prince Harry, Meghan Markle over criticism, says ‘privacy doesn’t mean silence’

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: American talk show host and TV producer Oprah Winfrey in a recent conversation, stood up for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The duo had in a tell-all interview with Winfrey made claims of racism and ignoring psychiatric needs against the British royal family.

    According to Fox News, in recent weeks, Harry and Meghan have been particularly vocal about their lives as members of the British royal family – a rarity for those close to the monarchy.

    In March, they made claims of racism and ignoring psychiatric needs in a bombshell tell-all interview with Winfrey.

    During a recent podcast episode, Harry criticised his father’s parenting and accused his family of turning a blind eye to pleas for help against public criticism in his series ‘The Me You Can’t See’.

    ALSO READ | Meghan Markle, Prince Harry planning home birth for second child: Report

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been criticised over their public statements that are growing in frequency. It is also because of the fact that the two moved to California last year in an attempt to attain more privacy.

    Winfrey, however, isn’t having it and is standing up for her business partner and his wife Meghan.

    The 67-year-old author and talk show host said on the ‘Today’ show on Friday, “I ask for privacy and I’m talking all the time. I think being able to have a life that you are not intruded upon by photographers or people flying overhead or invading your life is what every person wants and deserves.”

    She said that critics of Harry’s vocalisation are “missing” the idea that he wants to maintain a modicum of privacy as a basic desire. “Privacy doesn’t mean silence,” she added.

    ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ star further shared that Harry and Meghan “have not shared any regrets” with her over their tell-all interview.

    “I understood what had happened to them and I wanted the rest of the world to come away being able to answer the question: Why did they leave? And I think by the time that interview was done, people understood,” she explained.

    As reported by Fox News, Winfrey and Harry worked together closely to develop the Apple TV+ docuseries ‘The Me You Can’t See’. It features interviews from celebrities and normal people about their mental health struggles and how they are working to overcome them. 

    WATCH TRAILER HERE:

  • Oprah Winfrey reveals she was ‘surprised’ by Meghan’s racism claims against royal family

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: American TV personality Oprah Winfrey recently revealed that she was just as stunned as the rest of the world by Meghan Markle’s bombshell claims during her wide-ranging interview that aired in March.

    According to Fox News, the 67-year-old veteran interviewer’s special with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intensified the already tense relationships between the couple and other members of the royal family.

    Winfrey recently appeared on Nancy O’Dell’s new show, ‘TalkShopLive’, during which she reflected on the jaw-dropping interview, watched by nearly 50 million people worldwide. She said, “I had no idea that it would have the reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have.”

    During the Winfrey interview, Markle, had said that a member of the royal family discussed the color of her and Harry’s then-unborn son’s skin. Prince Harry later revealed it was not Queen Elizabeth nor his grandfather, Prince Philip, who made the remark. The Duke of Sussex also said he’d never reveal the family member’s identity.

    The media mogul went on to say that she and the couple had a “shared intention” for the interview, which was to tell “the truth.” Winfrey said, “They wanted to be able to tell their story and tell it in such a way that allowed them to be as truthful as possible.”

    She went on to admit that she was “surprised” when Markle claimed royals made comments about the color of Archie’s skin. Markle is biracial. “What? You’re going there? You’re going all the way there?” Winfrey recalled of her initial private reaction to Markle’s claims.

    The host called it a “powerful” interview due to the couple’s ability to be “open,” “vulnerable” and “truthful.”

    Rumors of a rift between Harry and his older brother Prince William have rumbled at least since 2019. That’s when Harry and Markle separated from the Royal Foundation, originally set up as the brothers’ joint charitable venture, to set up their own platform.

    That year, Harry said he loved his brother dearly but they were “on different paths” and have “good days” and “bad days.”

    In early 2020, the Sussexes announced their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family. This year, tensions between Harry and William escalated when Harry revealed to Winfrey that he and his brother were giving each other “space.” He also claimed his father, Prince Charles, had stopped taking his calls.

    Meanwhile, Markle told Winfrey that she had suicidal thoughts during her time living in the United Kingdom and working as a senior royal.

    Harry said the royal family cut him off financially at the start of 2020 after announcing plans to step back from his roles. But he was able to afford security for his family because of the money his mother, Princess Diana, left behind.

    In response to a question from Winfrey, Harry said he wouldn’t have made the changes if not for his wife. He said their relationship revealed the strictures of royal life. Harry said, “I was trapped, but I didn’t know I was trapped. My father and my brother, they are trapped.”

    As per Fox News, a year after they last saw each other, the princes put their fraught relationship aside as they said farewell to their grandfather in a royal funeral held in Windsor, England, last week.

  • Meghan Markle watched Prince Philip’s funeral at California home

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle watched Prince Philip’s televised funeral on Saturday from her California home, confirmed Fox News.

    According to the outlet, Markle’s absence from the Duke of Edinburgh’s royal funeral was known for several days before the event took place. She was advised by a doctor not to go to in light of the fact that she’s pregnant.

    Prince Harry went to the United Kingdom solo, prior to this week[-to go to the funeral]. Meghan remained behind with the couple’s just about 2-year-old child Archie. The couple settled down in Santa Barbara, California, a year ago, months after they declared their choice to step back as senior members of the royal family.

    In spite of the distance, Meghan tried to watch on as her better half rejoined with his royal family members for the first time since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial interview Oprah Winfrey.

    According to Fox News, although the event started with Prince Harry and William separated in the procession line by their cousin, Peter Phillips, viewers were shocked to see the siblings strolling next to each other on their way out of the service.

    The tension between the Sussexes and the remainder of the British regal family have run high since the couple reported their choice to venture down as senior individuals from the royal family in early 2020.

    As revealed by Fox News, the family rift was amplified on March 7, when their two-hour interview with Winfrey broadcasted. During it, the couple said that an anonymous individual from the royal family made a racist comment to the 36-year before the birth of their child Archie in 2019. Harry later explained that his grandparents didn’t offer the remark being referred to.

    Days after the CBS special aired, the Duke of Cambridge shielded the monarchy saying that they are “a lot of not a racist family.”

    Another disclosure included Harry voicing to Winfrey that his associations with his dad, Prince Charles and William have ruptured.

    On Saturday, People magazine reported that Meghan was “hopeful” she could attend the overseas service prior to seeking her doctor’s advice.

    The magazine reported that the Sussexes also gave a wreath that was laid for the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday. It was planned by Willow Crossley, who allegedly has worked with the married couple previously.

    Prince Philip was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years. He died April 9 at the age of 99. 

  • Despite royal family tension, Meghan Markle ‘wishes’ she could attend Prince Philip’s funeral

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: While Prince Harry has already reached the UK for his grandfather Prince Philip’s funeral, the Duke of Sussex’s wife Meghan Markle could not accompany her husband due to her second pregnancy. But a source revealed that the ‘Suits’ alum wanted to “support” Harry at the funeral following the couple’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

    A source close to the Duchess of Sussex told E! News that Meghan would have attended Prince Philip’s funeral were she not too far along in her pregnancy.

    The source said, “Meghan wishes she could have flown to the U.K. to support her husband but has been advised not to due to her pregnancy.”

    “She would have put all the family tension aside to be there with Harry,” the insider continued, before adding that the couple “are still not on amazing terms with the family.”

    But Harry’s trip to the UK comes at an opportune time, according to the source, as it’s allowed him and Prince William to continue “working on their relationship” after an apparent fallout.

    The insider further said, “Harry wants to make sure Meghan and the baby are healthy and not involved in stressful situations,” such as the very public funeral of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband.

    Though Meghan and Harry want to make amends with the royal family, the insider said, “They have been focused on their new roots in Montecito and the pregnancy,” which comes after the Duchess of Sussex suffered a miscarriage last July.

    This week saw Harry’s return to his home country and their marital home at Frogmore Cottage, where the Prince is quarantining ahead of the Duke’s funeral.

    Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, only 30 people are allowed to attend Prince Philip’s funeral services at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle this Saturday. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Philip’s family members, including his children and grandchildren, are expected to be in attendance.

    Though many people will miss the Duke of Edinburgh, none are as mournful as the Queen, according to Prince Andrew. Last weekend, the royal told reporters that his mother is “feeling it probably more than everybody else.”

    Prince Andrew shared, “She’s contemplating, is the way I would put it. She described it as having left a huge void in her life, but we, the family, the ones that are closer, are rallying around to make sure we are there to support her.”

    Buckingham Palace had announced on Friday that Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, died “peacefully” at Windsor Castle at the age of 99.

    Philip became the queen’s consort, or official companion, after her father, King George VI, suddenly passed in 1952. He was the longest-serving British consort over his 73-year marriage to the queen.

  • Meghan Markle, Prince Harry hire Ben Browning to head production company

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are making some changes to their team. The power couple recently hired Oscar-nominated producer Ben Browning as head of content for Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio.

    As per People magazine, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed on Monday that they have hired Ben to serve as head of content for Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions, the companies they launched with their partnerships with Netflix and Spotify.

    Ben’s past work includes ‘The Big Sick’, ‘Arrival’ and ‘Room’ as well as current Oscar nominee ‘Promising Young Woman’.

    Expressing his excitement about the new position, Ben said, “From the moment they shared their vision for Archewell as a global production company that will spotlight diverse voices and share uplifting stories, I knew I wanted to help with this unique opportunity. It’s a thrilling company to be starting.”

    Also on Monday, the couple’s office confirmed that Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation director Catherine St-Laurent has transitioned to a senior advisory role.

    Apart from these changes, Invisible Hand, a diverse, female-led team based in N.Y.C. founded by Genevieve Roth as a social impact and culture change agency, was also confirmed as recently coming on board at Archewell.

    Harry and Meghan announced in April 2020, shortly after they officially stepped down as senior royals on March 31, that their new foundation would be called Archewell — a name that shares a connection with their son Archie, who will turn two on May 6.

    In a statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex explained how they decided on the name.

    “Like you, our focus is on supporting efforts to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic, but faced with this information coming to light, we felt compelled to share the story of how this came to be,” the couple had said in the statement.

    “Before SussexRoyal came the idea of ‘arche’ — the Greek word meaning ‘source of action,’ ” they continued.

    They added, “We connected to this concept for the charitable organization we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters. Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon. We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.”

    Last year, the couple had inked deals with Spotify and Netflix, with the intent of creating content that “informs but also gives hope”. The content will include documentaries, TV shows, and children’s programming. 

  • Man arrested for trespassing Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s home in California

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: An alleged trespasser was arrested for crashing through the gate of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s California residence.

    According to Fox News, a man named Nickolas Brooks from Ohio — who drove across the country to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s home — was arrested after being accused of trespassing their home twice in December last year.

    As per the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the first incident took place on December 24 when police responded to the home that afternoon and cautioned Brooks. Two days later, the authorities responded to the home again and arrested the 37-year-old.

    He was accused of crime intruding and was booked in prison. He is not, at present in custody. As indicated by reports, Brooks has a criminal history, including a random lawful offense attack which is unrelated to this incident.

    Brooks also made a statement where he revealed that he was drunk when he was caught at the royal couple’s home on December 26. Fox News noted that he drove from his home in Ohio to the Sussexes’ California property.

    “It was a foggy period of my life. I didn’t even know where I was. I think I was high at the time,” Brooks was quoted as speaking to The Sun.

    He added: “I don’t know why I went to their place, that’s kind of where I ended up. I drove across the country – I know it’s crazy.”

    He also said he’s been “told to stay away and that I’m never allowed back there.” He further claimed he does not have to appear in court and spent a night in jail following the incident.

    The duo relocated to America after announcing their decision to step back as senior members of the British royal family.

    The trespassing news came a few weeks after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s sat for a bombshell interview with American host Oprah Winfrey, where they discussed the reasons behind their decision to permanently step back from their royal duties, which they had first announced in January 2020.

  • Meghan Markle, Prince Harry reveal second baby’s gender in Oprah Winfrey interview

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to become proud parents to a little girl! The couple revealed the gender of their second child during their interview with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Sunday.

    As per E! News, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that they are going to welcome a daughter, with Harry dropping the happy news when he joined his wife in the second half of the interview. Meghan added that their daughter is due in the “summertime.”

    “To have a boy then a girl — what more can you ask for?” Harry candidly said. The couple also revealed that they will not have more children following their baby girl’s arrival: “Two is it.”

    Prince Harry spoke about his feelings upon learning the baby is a girl, “Grateful, having any child, any one or a two would have been amazing, but to have a boy and then a girl . . . now we’ve got our family and we’ve got four of us.”

    Meghan and Harry had announced their pregnancy news last month, with a stunning black-and-white photo that was taken remotely via iPad by their friend and longtime photographer, Misan Harriman. A smiling Harry looked lovingly at Meghan, who cradled her baby bump as she lay down in his lap.

    The Duchess of Sussex wore a flowing dress by Carolina Herrera that was first made when she was pregnant with Archie. Meghan has a longtime rapport with the brand’s creative director, Wes Gordon.

    The happy news, which they shared on Valentine’s Day, comes after Meghan revealed she suffered a miscarriage last July. “Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few,” she wrote in a New York Times essay on November 25.

    Meghan and Harry’s CBS special with Oprah marked the couple’s first joint interview since their royal exit, which was recently made permanent. In the interview, the duo discussed the reasons behind their decision to step back from their royal duties, which they had first announced in January 2020.

    ‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’ aired on CBS on Sunday. The special was produced by Harpo Productions. Terry Wood and Tara Montgomery executive produced, along with co-executive producer Brian Piotrowicz. The special will be internationally distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.

    Meghan and Harry officially stepped down from their roles as senior royals last year. Their desire to have a normal family life played a role in their groundbreaking decision.

    Since last summer, Meghan and Harry have been living with Archie in their new home in Southern California, not far from Oprah’s, near Santa Barbara. Their interview with the former talk show queen and media mogul aired a month after Harry made a rare TV appearance on ‘The Late Late Show With James Corden’.

    Markle and Harry, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their first son, Archie Harrison, in May 2019.

  • Meghan Markle tells Oprah Winfrey it’s ‘liberating’ to speak out after royal exit

    By ANI
    WASHINGTON: Fans are getting yet another sneak peek at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, which is scheduled to air on Sunday.

    In the latest teaser, which was released on Friday, Oprah revealed she actually reached out to Meghan for an interview three years ago, before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal wedding in 2018, and that her request was declined.

    “So, I just want to say that I called you either February or March 2018 before the wedding asking, ‘Would you please give me an interview?’” Oprah recalled, “And you said, ‘I’m sorry it’s not the right time.’ And finally, we get to sit down and have this conversation.”

    Meghan said she remembered it well and claimed that she “wasn’t even allowed to have that conversation” with Oprah personally and that other people had to be on the call.

    Looking back, Oprah noted Meghan turned her down “nicely” and said, “‘Perhaps there will be another time when there’s the right time.’”

    When asked what was right about this time, Meghan pointed to “so many things.”

    “That we’re on the other side of a lot of, a lot of life experience that’s happened. And also that we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn’t have said yes to you then. That wasn’t my choice to make,” she explained.

    Meghan further said, “So, as an adult who lived a really independent life to then go into this construct that is different than I think what people imagine it to be, it’s really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say, ‘Yes, I’m ready to talk.’ To say it for yourself….To be able to just make a choice on your own and just be able to speak for yourself.”

    Previously released clips also showed Harry opening up. The couple has referred to the British tabloids’ treatment of Meghan as “bullying” before, and in the teaser of the upcoming interview with Oprah, Harry expressed his fear of “history repeating itself,” referring to Princess Diana’s death.

    “I am just really relieved and happy to be sitting here, talking to you, with my wife by my side. Because I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago. Because it has been unbelievably tough for the two of us, but at least we have each other,” he said.

    The forthcoming interview comes weeks after it was confirmed that Harry and Meghan will not be returning as working members of the royal family.

    The interview titled ‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry: A CBS Primetime Special’ will air Sunday on CBS.

    The interview is expected to cover Meghan’s journey from stepping into life as a royal to marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work, and facing intense public pressure. Harry will then join his wife to talk about their historic move to the United States.

    The special is produced by Harpo Productions. Terry Wood and Tara Montgomery will executive produce, along with co-executive producer Brian Piotrowicz.

    In early 2020, Meghan and Harry had announced that they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They live in Santa Barbara, California, and are expecting their second child.

    Apart from the upcoming interview, the pair struck a major multi-year deal with Netflix in September that will see them developing documentaries, feature films, scripted television shows, and children’s series.

    They also recently launched a podcast on Spotify under their Archwell Audio production company, with the goal of building “community through shared experience, narratives, and values.”

    Harry and Meghan, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison, in May 2019.