Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being urged by some UK commentators to ask CBS to postpone the broadcast of its Oprah Winfrey interview, which is expected to carry out a sharp attack on the royal family as concerns grow about Prince Philip’s prospects of defeating an infection.
Philip, 99, was transferred to a specialized heart hospital on Monday and royal sources have been quoted by British newspapers as saying the family is “quite shocked” at the idea of the interview, which Oprah has said Meghan is saying “pretty shocking things”. broadcast while Philip is so unwell.
Penny Junor, author of Prince Harry, brother, soldier, son, told The Daily Beast that broadcasting the interview while Prince Philip was undergoing very public health problems, the interview looked inappropriate, saying, “Anything can hijack this interview. Philip is ill. He is 99 and could die at any time. They weren’t supposed to know he was going to get sick, but it could be seen as the wrong time. But I doubt it is in their gift to postpone the interview. Control is in the hands of CBS and Oprah. “
Robert Lacey, historical advisor to The crown and author of the definitive royal biography Majesty, told The Daily Beast, “I think it would be a great turnaround for Harry’s image if he took the bold step of canceling the whole thing this weekend – or, if that’s not practical, at least putting it off. . “
Royal commentator and former editor of Who is who Richard Fitzwilliams said it would “certainly be appropriate” to postpone the interview.
He told MailOnline: “Oprah is their friend and neighbor and would no doubt comply if asked and I would certainly appreciate the gesture by the royal family. If an interview has been extended, like recently, it can also be postponed, which no doubt should. ”
Royal biographer Robert Jobson told The Mail, “As the Duke of Edinburgh is clearly very unwell, the fact that the couple intend to continue broadcasting their self-indulgent, uninhibited interview with chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, appear heartless, thoughtless and utterly selfish.
“For the American broadcaster CBS, this interview is a coup d’etat, all about getting big viewing figures and big ad sales around the broadcast of their exclusive interview. So even if they wanted to, Harry and Meghan probably couldn’t dictate terms to Oprah Winfrey and the network right now. Too much has been invested. “
An insider from the TV industry told the MirrorCBS sold millions of dollars worth of advertising around the time of the interview, but bosses are aware of the delicacy of the Duke’s heather. They are not loyal to the royal family, although some feel they are doing it with Harry and Meghan. If Philip’s condition worsened, it would be like detonating a diplomatic bomb. It would be extremely insensitive and immensely disrespectful. “