CONTENT WARNING: The below story contains mentions of suicidal thoughts. This content may be triggering for some readers. Sunday's explosive Oprah interview with Meghan and Prince Harry promised frank revelations about the couple's split from the royal family, their thoughts on Buckingham Palace, and a dive into their marriage. And boy, did it deliver.
After a week of dominating the headlines due Meghan's alleged "bullying" during her time as a working royal—with the Sussexes laying blame squarely on Buckingham Palace—we finally got the couple's side of the story.
Naturally, the Internet was abuzz with some commentary:
DO THE CROWN NOW AND MEGHAN GETS TO PLAY MEGHAN.March 7, 2021
People were happy to see Meghan "spilling all the family tea."
meghan markle living out the gay fantasy of spilling all the family tea to oprahMarch 8, 2021
queen elizabeth on red table talk by wednesdayMarch 8, 2021
Some took issue with how the royal family welcomed the Duchess.
LMAO so Meghan didn’t know that every morning the royals wake up and choose violence. #OprahMeghanHarryMarch 8, 2021
Twitter also reacted to racist elements of Meghan's struggle with the royal family.
The headlines of making Kate Middleton cry is a classic example of weaponizing white women tears.Pay attention. Meghan said that was the turning point.Pay attention. #OprahMeghanHarryMarch 8, 2021
The polarity is precisely the issue. The difference in treatment between Meghan and Kate is one of the clearest examples of the misogynoir at play is a reminder that if they can do that to a Duchess, it’s happening to Black women *everyday*#OprahMeghanHarry#BlackWomenAtWorkMarch 8, 2021
The British Royal Family was guessing how dark Archie was going to be before he was born.Tell it, Meghan.Tell it all and don't hold back neither. #OprahMeghanHarryMarch 8, 2021
What we have witnessed so far is exactly why many people were against this interview. They didn’t want Meghan confirming the racism, bullying, lies, and more. So many of us have BEEN saying racism is why Meghan receives abuse but certain people want to pretend. #OprahMeghanHarryMarch 8, 2021
A withering interview w/ Harry Meghan via Oprah. The Kingdom which first brought slaves here 400yrs ago has their current racism outed in all its brutality—how black will her kids be? The Palace refused to provide security for her baby. Meghan, crushed, considered suicide. Wow.March 8, 2021
Colourism is what allowed Meghan to marry into the Royal Family and anti-black racism is what forced her out of it. That’s the nuance you’re looking for.March 8, 2021
[plundered rubies falling out of Queen Elizabeth’s pockets] “racist???”March 8, 2021
Others noted how gracious Meghan has been throughout it all.
It's really gracious of Meghan to take the time to explain how the the people who run the business of the royal family are separate from the actual family. And to make a point to say the Queen has always been lovely to her in person. #HarryandMeghanonOprahMarch 8, 2021
and you know meghan is holding backMarch 8, 2021
People also stood in solidarity with the Duchess and her mental health crisis.
A reminder that culturally responsive mental health care should be free and available to all-especially Black women. Meghan Harry’s Archewell foundation supporting @LLTherapyFnd, which funds therapy for Black girls and women, means so much more watching this.March 8, 2021
Meghan, we see you. We hear you. We believe you. And we are so glad that you’re still here. #OprahMeghanHarryMarch 8, 2021
Meghan is a survivor from suicidal thoughts! She’s Speaking her truth never let your voice be silenced ❤️ #OprahMeghanHarry pic.twitter.com/xqDGeKtOsUMarch 8, 2021
Meghan chose life. And I love it. She chose not to sit in the darkness of “the institution.” This truth will free so many others.March 8, 2021
And the memes, of course.
Me, every 2 minutes of this interview pic.twitter.com/oDCMfrojWIMarch 8, 2021
The only monarchy I support pic.twitter.com/egq0iBlV5QMarch 8, 2021
i.... can’t believe oprah asked this pic.twitter.com/7zCzZSoGibMarch 8, 2021
Being asked to enter my work history after already uploading my resume pic.twitter.com/amxp5KZd69March 8, 2021
Being asked to enter my work history after already uploading my resume pic.twitter.com/amxp5KZd69March 8, 2021
pic.twitter.com/mGuPLCmYDDMarch 8, 2021
“hi guys, lotta rumours on the timeline tonight so i just wanted to go live to share some truths” pic.twitter.com/eS3WLKDIYTMarch 8, 2021
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Zoe Guy is the digital fellow at Marie Claire, where she covers pop culture, hot celebrity gossip, movies and TV. She’s obsessed with Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of The Age of Innocence, anything written by Jesmyn Ward and stan Twitter.