Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are urged by some UK commentators to ask CBS to postpone the broadcast of the Oprah Winfrey interview, in which they expect to launch a harsh attack on the royal family, as concern grows over Prince Philip’s prospects of beating an infection.
Philip, 99, was taken to a heart hospital on Monday, and royal sources were quoted by British newspapers as saying the family was “quite horrified” by the idea of the interview, which Oprah said she saw. as Meghan says “pretty shocking things” being aired while Philip is so bad.
Penny Junor, author Prince Harry, brother, soldier, son, he told The Daily Beast that broadcasting the interview while Prince Philip was suffering from public health risks could make the interview seem inappropriate, saying: “Anything could hijack this interview. Philip is ill. He is 99 years old and could die at any time. They shouldn’t have known he was going to get sick, but it was obvious it was the wrong time. But I doubt it’s up to them to postpone the interview. Control is in the hands of CBS and Oprah. ”
Robert Lacey, historical consultant for The crown and author of the definitive royal biography Majesty, said for The Daily Beast: “I think it would be a wonderful change for Harry’s image if he took the courageous step of canceling everything this weekend – or, if it is not practical, at least postponing it.”
Royal commentator and former editor of Who’s who Richard Fitzwilliams said it would “certainly be appropriate” to postpone the interview.
He told MailOnline: “Oprah is their friend and neighbor, and she would no doubt comply if asked, and the gesture would certainly be appreciated by the royal family. If an interview has been extended, as has recently happened, it can be postponed, as it should, no doubt, be. ”
Royal biographer Robert Jobson told the Mail: “With the Duke of Edinburgh clearly very sorry, the fact that the couple intends to continue broadcasting the self-indulgent, unrestricted interview with Queen Oprah Winfrey of the chat show makes them he seems heartless, thoughtless and extremely selfish.
“For the American broadcast network CBS, this interview is a coup d’etat, all about ensuring high viewing figures and high ad sales around the broadcast of their exclusive interview. So even if he wanted Harry and Meghan, he probably wouldn’t be able to dictate the terms to Oprah Winfrey and the network now. Too much has been invested. ”
A member of the TV industry said for The mirror: “CBS sold millions of dollars worth of commercials around the interview, but the bosses are aware of the delicacy of the duke’s health. They have no loyalty to the royal family, although some feel as if they are Harry and Meghan. For it to work if Philip’s condition worsened, it would be like firing a diplomatic bomb. It would be extremely insensitive and extremely disrespectful. “