News of the week: Meghan Markle, Piers Morgan, and Sarah Everard

Introducing our new segment where we bring you a complete rundown of the top stories from the week.

Top stories:

• Meghan Markle speaks to Oprah Winfrey about her life in the Royal family, discussing racism, mental health, and lack of support.
• Buckingham Palace investigates claims made during the Oprah interview and the Duke of Cambridge declares the Royal Family are not racist.
• Piers Morgan leaves Good Morning Britain after a row over comments made about Duchess of Sussex.
• The kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interview with Oprah Winfrey

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s much-anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in the UK on Monday, with the couple sharing their side about life in the Royal Family.

During the two hour tell-all interview watched by 11 million UK viewers, the couple spoke about their relationship with other royals, cleared false British tabloid headlines, and opened up about the struggles faced while pregnant with Prince Archie.

Speaking with Oprah before being joined by Prince Harry, Meghan revealed she did not do any research on the Royal Family before getting married and learned to curtsey moments before meeting Her Majesty, “I thought it was just all part of the fanfare”.

Meghan Markle shared her fond memories with the Queen of sharing a blanket and Prince Harry said he has a “really good” relationship with his grandmother and has spoken to her more in the past year. Despite the couple praising the Queen, Meghan Markle makes it clear “You’ve no idea what’s going on for someone behind the closed doors” as she unravels her truth.

One of the biggest revelations from the interview was that there were “several conversations” and concerns within the Royal Family about how dark Meghan and Harry’s baby might be in those months while pregnant. The pair refused to share which Royal was involved in these conversations.

From speaking on the institution not wanting to make Archie a prince to a newspaper story claiming ‘Meghan made Kate cry’, the duchess told Oprah the reverse was true.

Meghan spoke about how lonely she felt after joining the Royal Family, and that her mental health got so bad that she “didn’t want to be alive anymore”.

“I went to the institution and said that I needed to go somewhere to get help, and said I had never felt that way before and need to go somewhere, and I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution”. She added, “Nothing was ever done”.

Buckingham Palace and Prince William break silence on claims

Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, Buckingham palace broke its silence on Tuesday evening.

A short statement issued on behalf of The Monarch read:

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members”.

Buckingham Palace has hired independent external investigators to handle the inquiry into claims made by the Duchess of Sussex.

Prince William responded to the bombshell interview by declaring “We are very much not a racist family”. The Duke of Cambridge admitted he has not spoken to his brother yet but intends to.

Piers Morgan leaves Good Morning Britain

Piers Morgan leaves Good Morning Britain after critical remarks he made about the Duchess of Sussex’s mental health prompted an on-air row and an Ofcom investigation.

The 55-year-old presenter faced backlash on the ITV breakfast show earlier this week after saying he did not “believe a word” Meghan Markle told Oprah Winfrey about her mental health.

Piers Morgan stormed off the set of Good Morning Britain on Tuesday after his co-presenter Alex Beresford criticised the way he “continues to trash” the Duchess of Sussex, calling his behaviour “pathetic” and “diabolical”.

ITV announced Morgan’s departure after Ofcom said it was investigating his comments after receiving 41,000 complaints.

An ITV spokesperson said: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add”.

The Duchess of Sussex also made a formal complaint about Piers Morgan’s comments. Her concerns are thought to be based on the effect the comments may have on people struggling with mental health in general. The duchess is reported to have complained directly to ITV’s CEO.

Watch the clash between Piers Morgan and Alex Beresford here:

The kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard

Sarah Everard disappeared on March 3, as she was walking home in South London.

The 33-year-old Marketing Executive left her friend’s house in Clapham but did not reach her home in Brixton. The last known sighting of her alive was captured on a doorbell camera on the A205 Poynders Road walking towards Tulse Hill.

The Metropolitan Police announced human remains found in a woodland in Ashford, Kent, had been formally identified as Sarah Everard.

A serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard. A woman in her 30s was also arrested on suspicion of aiding an offender and has now been released on bail until mid-April.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave says: “I know that the public feel very hurt and angry about what has happened, and these are sentiments I feel personally”.

More to follow.

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