Expert: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's interview under scrutiny, raises suspicion about their motives

Many are still puzzled by Meghan Markle's remarks during her engagement interview.

In 2022, Meghan Markle, the former "Suits" star, claimed in her Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan" that her 2017 interview with BBC presenter Mishal Husain about her engagement to Prince Harry was a staged reality show. Recently, Husain spoke to Saga Magazine, admitting that she was unsure how to react to Meghan's accusations.

In 2018, the British prince married the American actress and she became the Duchess of Sussex.

Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and photographer, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Meghan claimed the interview was a staged reality show and Husain lacked empathy and warmth during the interview.

"According to Chard, Meghan's performance was impressive and she and Harry were in control of their narrative. However, discrepancies in their story have led people to question their motives and suspect that there are many contradictions."

In 2017, Kensington Palace organized an interview with the couple, who had previously been handled by the palace before their departure in 2020. During the televised conversation, Husain inquired about their relationship.

"I believe discrepancies in Harry and Meghan’s story have led people to question why there are so many contradictions. It makes people suspect their motives." — Helena Chard, British broadcaster and photographer

Meghan, 42, claimed it was staged.

""We rehearsed the interview and then went straight inside, took off our coats, sat down and did it all in that same moment," she said."

Husain admitted to being surprised by Meghan’s remarks.

The Duchess of Sussex described my engagement interview with her and Harry as an "orchestrated reality show," which left me unsure of how to interpret it, according to Husain, as reported by Deadline.

"According to Husain, it appeared that they had considered the implications of their new lives and how marriage would affect her specifically. However, there were no indications of what the future held. Instead, it was two individuals who were filled with happiness in each other and in their shared life."

"Harry & Meghan" is still streaming, which is why Meghan's comments from the docuseries are still being analyzed years after its premiere.

"Husain, a well-known BBC journalist in the U.K., has been taken aback by Meghan's comments in the 2022 Netflix series about their engagement interview, which have caused confusion and frustration."

"Recollections may vary," Chard added.

Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment from a spokesperson for Husain was not immediately responded to.

According to Husain, Richard Eden of the DailyMail reported that Meghan would have preferred Oprah Winfrey to conduct her engagement interview. Winfrey later spoke with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2021, a year after their royal exit. The interview, which was viewed by nearly 50 million people worldwide, was explosive.

Eden stated to the DailyMail that he spoke to sources who worked for the royal household during Husain's interview in 2017. These sources informed Eden that Meghan's "performance" should have raised more concerns than it did.

"While there was a lot of excitement about Meghan's engagement at the time, some of her comments now seem insincere and her body language is telling."

According to Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, it's possible that we'll never be able to determine which side was correct.

"Richard Eden is a respected journalist, but if he relies on unnamed sources, it becomes more challenging to verify the accuracy of the information. Meghan Markle likely has strong opinions, and in reality, the royal family is given some flexibility when it comes to granting interviews."

"Meghan's constant exposure to negative commentary from an engaged group is one of the reasons she left the country. She is still wondering why the royal teams did not promote her in the same way they have built up Kate Middleton's brand."

Meghan's statement had been previously addressed by Husain.

Following the release of "Harry & Meghan" on Netflix, she was questioned about the allegation by co-host Justin Webb on BBC Radio 4.

According to Deadline, Husain stated that while recollections on the subject may differ, his memory is clear: he was asked to do an interview and completed it.

Hilary Fordwich, a royal expert, explained to Planet Chronicle Digital why Husain continues to speak out.

"Fordwich asserted that it was completely safe to speak, citing the example of Prince William's criticism of Meghan Markle as "difficult," "rude," and "abrasive," which were traits not well-received by the British public. He added that many courtiers and royal staff had expressed their disapproval of the way they were treated."

According to Fordwich, former staff members referred to themselves as the "Sussex Survivors' Club" due to challenging work relationships with the couple, particularly with Meghan Markle, causing them to feel anxious and tearful during interactions with her.

"Fordwich explained that the reason most royals and aristocrats retain their staff for generations is due to the British culture that values treating staff with dignity and respect. He added that even the national holiday, Boxing Day, was established as a result of servants receiving gifts from those they served. Fordwich emphasized that this cultural norm of building long-lasting relationships is something that Meghan Markle never fully understood or appreciated."

Of course, the royals would side with their loyal and dedicated staff, as Fordwich added.

Nearly 20 years as a Buckingham Palace staffer, Samantha Cohen admitted to being questioned during an investigation into allegations of bullying against the Duchess of Sussex in April of this year.

In 2019, Cohen departed from his role and shared his thoughts with the Australian newspaper, the Herald Sun.

The palace was unable to find a replacement aide for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex due to high staff turnover, as revealed by Cohen without directly speaking about the investigation.

"I was supposed to stay for six months but ended up staying for 18. We couldn't find a replacement for me, and when we did, we took them on a tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes, but they quit while in Africa," she said.

The Duchess of Sussex's representative did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment at the time.

In March 2021, Buckingham Palace initiated an investigation following allegations that Meghan had driven out two personal assistants and that staff had been humiliated on multiple occasions while living in Kensington Palace. These claims were published by The Times of London just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke with Winfrey.

Meghan's lawyers denied the bullying allegations when they were made.

"The Duchess is disheartened by the recent attack on her character, given her own experience with bullying, and is strongly committed to supporting those who have endured pain and trauma. She remains resolute in her efforts to promote compassion globally and to set a positive example for doing what is right and what is good."

According to an author, Meghan Markle has moved on from the royal family drama.

The Sussexes' spokesperson stated to the Times that the negative portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex in a recent article was a calculated smear campaign based on misleading information. The spokesperson expressed disappointment that the defamatory portrayal was given credibility by a media outlet. The spokesperson also noted that the accusations against the Duchess, which were made several years ago, were being briefed to the British media just before the Sussexes were due to speak openly about their experiences.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.