Some Think That Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Interview With Oprah Should Be Postponed Out Of Respect For Prince Philip
We can’t know for certain how Prince Harry might react to this recent development. But I like to think his face looked something like the screenshot above, as he hissed, “Oi, now hold on a tick. I didn’t chum around with James Corden all day getting a cramp in my arse from those bleedin’ motorcoach seats for nuffin!” Because several “royal experts” think that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah should be delayed until Prince Philip’s health situation improves.
Harry’s 99-year-old grandfather (and Queen Elizabeth’s husband) Prince Philip isn’t doing so well, health-wise. Last month, Philip was taken to the hospital as a precaution after feeling like crap for a bit. Then we learned Philip’s hospital stay was going to be extended a bit while he received treatment for an infection. Most recently, Buckingham Palace let everyone know that Philip has been transferred to a hospital that specializes in heart issues. via People:
According to the palace statement, “The Duke of Edinburgh was today transferred from King Edward VII’s Hospital to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition. The Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week.”
Philip has been in the hospital for two weeks as of today. And since he’s 99 years old, some people are bracing for the worst, which might be that Philip’s condition goes downhill, or that he doesn’t leave the hospital at all. And it would be really bad for Harry and Meghan if come Sunday, their interview with Oprah is interrupted with the news that, well, you know. For that reason, royal biographer Penny Junor thinks that maybe CBS should hold off on airing the interview. via The Daily Beast:
Penny Junor, author of Prince Harry, Brother, Soldier, Son, told The Daily Beast that airing the interview while Prince Philip was undergoing very public health travails risked making the interview look inappropriate, saying, “Anything could hijack this interview. Philip is ill. He is 99 and could die at any time. They were not to know he would get ill, but it could be seen to be the wrong time. But I doubt it is in their gift to postpone the interview. The control is in the hands of CBS and Oprah.”
Other royal experts tell the Daily Beast that it would be “appropriate” for them to ask for the interview to air at a later date and that since Oprah is a friend, she’d surely pull the interview, no questions asked. Royal biographer and historical consultant for The Crown Robert Lacey also chimed in with his thoughts, saying that it would actually make Harry and Meghan look good if they put their interview on ice for the time being. via DB:
“I think it would be a marvelous turnaround for Harry’s image if he took the brave step of canceling the whole thing this weekend or, if that’s not practical, postponing it at least.”
Of course, we also hear from the Meghan and Harry Haters, like royal biographer Robert Jobson, who basically told The Daily Mail that it would be capital-T tacky for them to air the interview while Philip is laid up in the hospital. He also implied the whole thing is a ratings-grab for CBS, and for that reason, they probably won’t postpone:
“With the Duke of Edinburgh clearly very unwell, the fact that the couple plan to go ahead with airing their self-indulgent, no-holds-barred interview with chat show queen Oprah Winfrey makes them appear heartless, thoughtless, and supremely selfish. For U.S. broadcast network CBS, this interview is a coup, all about securing big viewing figures and big advert sales around the airing of their exclusive interview. So even if they wanted to, Harry and Meghan probably couldn’t dictate terms to Oprah Winfrey and the network now. Too much has been invested.”
Another TV insider tells The Daily Beast that CBS has already secured tons of advertising dollars, and there’s no loyalty to a sick old man when it comes down to money. Also, that TV insider points out that CBS doesn’t really have a relationship with the Royal Family. But, they do realize the optics could look really bad if Philip takes a turn on the same day of the interview.
The Daily Mail has a little update on his condition, and they say that his stay in this heart-focused hospital could potentially be a long one. Prince Philip has reportedly battled heart problems for 30 years and had a stent inserted in 2011. If it turns out he has a heart infection, he could be in the hospital for another six weeks To treat his infection, they need to make sure his heart stays stable, and that could be tricky considering his heart history. So really, it’s anyone’s guess as to what Sunday might be like in the world of Royal Family news.
We haven’t yet heard anything from CBS or Oprah or Harry and Meghan about whether they’ll reschedule. It could be a good time to postpone the interview. Meghan was just awarded $625,000 in legal costs from her privacy lawsuit against The Mail on Sunday. Not only did she win her lawsuit, but she doesn’t have to pay a dime in legal bills. And if the interview goes ahead as scheduled, then they’re also sitting on the knowledge that Prince William and Duchess Kate are back at home, squirming in their seats from discomfort at what Harry might say about them. Honestly, that all might be too much excitement for one weekend.
Pic: YouTube