Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, once quietly addressed the situation surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the aftermath of their highly publicised break from the royal family. In 2021, she spoke briefly but notably following the couple’s explosive Oprah interview, at a time when tensions inside the monarchy were under intense public scrutiny.
During an interview with The Telegraph Magazine, Sophie revealed that she had a long and “nice” conversation with Harry after Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021. It was Harry’s first return to the UK since he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in early 2020. The reunion came only weeks after the Oprah interview aired, placing the family under global attention.
Speaking alongside her husband Prince Edward, Sophie summed up the situation with calm simplicity. “We are still a family no matter what happens. We always will be.”
The Oprah interview and the royal response
The Telegraph interview took place in June 2021, just months after Harry and Meghan’s television appearance shook the institution. In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, the couple made serious allegations, including claims that Meghan’s mental health struggles were ignored and that there had been conversations about how dark Archie’s skin might be before his birth. No names were publicly given.
The fallout was immediate. Media coverage intensified and pressure mounted on the palace to respond. Prince William was later asked about the allegations during a school visit, where he stated, “We’re very much not a racist family.” Buckingham Palace issued a statement describing the claims as concerning and confirmed the matter would be handled privately.
When asked directly about the Oprah interview, Edward and Sophie chose humour over confrontation. Edward quipped, “Oprah who?” Sophie smiled and added, “Yes, what interview?” Their light response signalled a wish to move forward rather than escalate public drama.
A changing role inside the monarchy
The interview also reflected a shifting landscape within the royal family. With Harry’s departure and Prince Philip’s death, Prince Edward and Sophie were stepping into more visible roles. Sophie explained that they had simply continued their duties quietly over the years, but circumstances had changed.
“There’s been a bit of a hiatus and things have changed a bit,” she said. “Naturally, the media are looking for people to fill the so called void. If people want to pay more attention to what we’re doing, then great.”
Shortly after Prince Philip’s funeral, Sophie spoke emotionally about her late father in law. She shared that their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, still expected to see their grandfather arriving in his familiar green Land Rover.
It was a rare glimpse into a family navigating grief, public pressure, and internal change, while quietly reaffirming that despite everything, they remained family.
