Duchess Sophie’s ‘gentle’ dig at Oprah and Meghan Markle

Sophie hit out at the bombshell TV special in her own very understated way – whilst still managing to navigate royal protocol.

 

The Royal Family motto is never complain, never explain.

 

So it’s little wonder that frontline royals made little comment on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in 2021.

But the American TV special was littered with allegations which took aim at the Firm, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claiming they’d not been supported as they struggled with their mental health.

 

Harry also claimed his brother Prince William and King Charles were “trapped” inside the monarchy – and seemed to criticise his father’s parenting in subsequent interviews.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward’s wife, made her own subtle dig at the Sussexes’ appearance on the TV show in a very understated way.

 

Sophie and Edward joked by claiming “Oprah who?” when asked whether they had sat down and watched the Sussexes’ CBS chat.

Sophie then added: “Yes, what interview?”

This was followed up when Sophie then admitted there was “no reason to know who” the US chat show legend was.

She was criticised at the time by some on social media as the 59-year-old visited the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2013.

Sophie visited the course and its students in Meyerton, South Africa, as part of a week-long visit to the country with her husband Edward.

Sophie’s remark came up after the couple were quizzed about a moment when Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had a long conversation with Oprah – but was unaware of who she was during their chat.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Sophie defended the Archbishop, adding: “You know, if you’re not into chat shows, there’s no reason why you should know who she is.

“Certainly not in this country, anyway.”

During the same interview, Sophie discussed Harry’s return to the UK following the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, so he could attend the funeral.

But Sophie said it was “nice” to see the Duke of Sussex and the pair had a “lengthy chat” upon his return.

It appears that relations between the brothers are as frosty as ever – snubbing an opportunity to put on a united front.

 

The pair attended the Diana Legacy Award event to pay tribute to their late mother – but the Duke of Sussex joined remotely from Montecito in California while the Prince of Wales delivered a speech in person to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary.