Harry: The Interview

Last updated

Harry: The Interview
Genre Television interview
Presented by Tom Bradby
Starring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production location Santa Barbara County, California
Running time95 minutes
Production company ITN Productions
Original release
Network ITV1
Release8 January 2023 (2023-01-08)

Harry: The Interview is a British television programme that aired on both ITV1 and ITVX on 8 January 2023 to coincide with the release of Prince Harry's autobiography, Spare , which was released on 10 January.

Contents

Background and production

Produced by ITN Productions, the programme will see Prince Harry talking to ITV News at Ten presenter Tom Bradby ahead of the book's release. The programme was filmed in California, where the Prince lives with his family, and is one of two interviews to be broadcast on 8 January, the other having been recorded for 60 Minutes on CBS in the United States. Details of the programme, including some footage, were released on 2 January. As part of their promotion for the documentary, ITV said the Prince would go into "unprecedented depth and detail" about his life in and outside the British royal family. [1] [2] [3]

Content

In the interview, Harry stated that he still believed in the monarchy but did not know if he will play a part in its future. [4] He reflected on the moment his father Charles broke the news about his mother's death to him and his brother William, saying that part of the reason he left the UK was to ensure his wife's safety so that the same interaction would not happen between him and his children. [5] Harry mentions that after his mother's death, he only cried once at her burial. He adds that when he was in his 20s he asked his driver to take him through the tunnel in Paris where she was killed at the "same speed" only to realise "It's nothing, just a straight tunnel. I'd always imagined the tunnel was some treacherous passageway, inherently dangerous but it was just a short, simple, no frills tunnel. No reason anyone should ever die inside it." Harry also jokes about the account in his book where he described losing his virginity to "an older woman who liked macho horses." [6]

Harry professes his love for his family in the interview: "love my father. I love my brother. I love my family. I will always do. Nothing of what I've done in this book or otherwise has ever been to any intention to harm them or hurt them," but added that certain members of his family had "decided to get in bed with the devil," i.e. the press, to rehabilitate their image. [7] In the interview Harry points out flaws in his father's ability to handle being a single parent after his mother's death and added "Pa was never made for that. To be fair, he tried." He mentioned that he understood why the royal family needed a relationship with the tabloid press, but he did not agree with it as "There have been decisions that have happened on the other side that have been incredibly hurtful." He added that he was willing to reconcile with his father but "first there needs to be some accountability." He states that could not have been "delusional and paranoid when all the evidence is stacked up," and he was "terrified" about what could happen to him. [8]

On his relationship with his brother William and sister-in-law Catherine, he said that before his marriage to Meghan he was "third wheel to them, which was fun at times but also, I guess slightly awkward." He also alleged that William and Catherine struggled to welcome Meghan into the family as she was an "American actress, divorced, biracial, [there are] all different parts to that and what that can mean." [9] Harry also mentions that William "never tried to dissuade me from marrying Meghan, but he aired some concerns very early. He said you know, 'This is gonna be really hard for you' and I still to this day don't truly understand which part of what he was talking about." He attributed his brother's concerns to his worries about the British press's reaction. Referring to a row between Meghan and Catherine about flower girl dresses ahead of his and Meghan's 2018 wedding which was reported at the time to have left Catherine in tears, Harry stated that the palace was unwilling to put out a statement to correct the narrative because they were probably afraid that people would realise it was the other way around. [10]

Harry mentioned that due to "planting and leaking from other members of the family" in the past six years, "countless books, certainly millions of words have been dedicated to trying to trash my wife and myself to the point of where I had to leave my country." He was unsure whether his family would watch the interview, but hopes any conversations with them afterwards would remain private. He described his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's funeral as a "really good opportunity to bring the family together," but instead he alleged he received "a really, really horrible reaction from my family members." [11]

Harry addresses the content of Jeremy Clarkson's December 2022 Sun newspaper column on his wife Meghan, describing it as "horrific, hurtful, and cruel". He added that it "encourages men to think that it's acceptable to treat women that way." He expresses his wish to "try and change the press" and said the royal family's "silence" over what he deemed harmful coverage of his family is "deafening" despite the fact that they "defend themselves regularly." [12] On the possibility of forgiving and reconciling with his family, Harry said that "forgiveness is 100% a possibility because I would like to get my father back. I would like to have my brother back." He framed the British press as "an antagonist" responsible for the conflict between them and added that "certain members of my family and the people that work for them are complicit in that conflict." Harry mentions that both he and William were supportive of their father's relationship with his lover at the time Camilla Parker Bowles but did not want him to marry her. He alleged that their father did not respond to their pleas "But she answered. Straight away. Shortly after our private summits with her, she began to play the long game. A campaign aimed marriage, and eventually the Crown, with Pa's blessing we presumed." [13]

Harry said that he wished his family was supportive "in the second-darkest moment of my life," adding that "they feel as though it is better to keep us somehow as the villains." [14] Bradby also questioned Harry about accusations aimed at him for invading the privacy of the royal family, to which Harry responded that such accusations would only come from people who "don't want to believe that my family have been briefing the press solidly for well over a decade." [15] When questioned if he and Meghan had accused members of his family of racism during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Harry responded "No. The British press said that, right? Did Meghan ever mention 'they're racists'?" He reiterated his earlier claims that "there was concern about his [son's] skin colour," but he would attribute it to "unconscious bias," which he said was different from racism. [16] He believed that pointing out the bias was "an opportunity to learn and grow from that in order so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem." [17] He also commented on the conversation between Lady Susan Hussey and Ngozi Fulani, in which Fulani was questioned by Hussey about her origin. He believed Hussey "never meant any harm at all" and condemned the people online and the press's reaction to the incident. [18] He also expressed his joy at the two women's reconciliation, stating "I'm very happy for Ngozi Fulani to be invited into the palace to sit down with Lady Susan Hussey, and to reconcile, because Meghan and I love Susan Hussey." [19]

Harry described his memoir and his Netflix docuseries as "essential, for historical fact and significance." He added that "I want a family, not an institution." [2] When asked if he would attend his father's coronation in May 2023, he responded "There is a lot that can happen between now and then." [4] On the possibility of reconciling with the royal family and extending an olive branch, Harry said: "The ball is in their court. The door is always open. There is a lot to be discussed and I really hope that they are willing to sit down and talk about it." [4]

Reception

Audience viewership

According to data published by BARB, the interview had a peak audience of 4.5 million and an average audience of 4.1 million, one third of the number who tuned in to watch his 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. [20] The figures were described as "disappointing" by Deadline compared to the number of people who tuned in to watch his 2021 interview. [20] By contrast, Episode 2 of the third series of the crime drama Happy Valley , which aired on BBC One in the same 9.00pm timeslot, drew an audience of 5.2 million. [21] The interview was also broadcast in 77 territories across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and parts of Asia and South America. [22]

Critical response

Julie Burchill wrote for The Spectator : "Though Harry talks a lot about 'growth', this was a portrait of a lost young man for whom the getting of wisdom is about as likely as Meghan serving up a Full English (with builder's tea) for breakfast." [23] She added that he wanted "to be the hero of his own story, those who oppose him in any way must be painted as villains, for where is the epic 'journey' if everyone involved is simply a well-meaning, flawed human, trying to do their best and sometimes getting it wrong?" [23] In a review for The Independent , Sean O'Grady was sympathetic about Harry and his wife Meghan's grievances about the press, but believed they do not "appear to understand how the media works." [24] He added: "They seem to think the House of Windsor rules rather than reigns. They are wrong in claiming that the rest of the family and the Buckingham Palace staff have ever been in any position to do anything about the media, or indeed, to answer Harry's charge more directly, to control any leaking from various royal households." [24] Writing for the same newspaper, Nick Hilton gave the programme two out of five stars and described it as "Prince Harry's latest primetime moan." He added that Bradby does not "leave a boot unlicked... It is a level of sycophancy typical of a product that is stage-managed and unchallenging from start to finish." [25]

Lucy Mangan of The Guardian also gave the interview two out of five stars, but found Harry "charming" and "articulate" and predicted that "his story will appeal to the younger demographic." [26] In a review for The Times , Carol Midgley questioned what the purpose of the interview was and wondered "when this whingeing will stop?... OK, we heard him say repeatedly that he wants 'accountability', whatever that means, but what's the endgame in hanging all this dirty family washing on the line? Revenge? Reconciliation? Your own regular slot on Loose Women ?" [27] In her review for The Telegraph , Anita Singh argued that despite Harry's claims of being in "a good headspace" he came off as "furious, defensive and just plain sad, it was a difficult watch." [28] She praised Bradby for not being "a conduit for [Harry's] grievances" and instead questioning what he was hearing. [28] Singh added that the summary of Harry's statements was "Nothing is [his] fault, and almost everything can be blamed on the press." [28] In response to Harry's statements that he and Meghan had not accused his family of racism in their interview with Oprah Winfrey and it was the press who created that narrative, Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley criticised the couple for allowing the press to run with the story and not correcting it for years. [29] Pointing out Harry's supposed unhappiness when his family "fails to correct mistruths in the media," Emily Giffin wondered why Harry had allowed the narrative to go on for almost two years. [30]

Royal family's response

Sources close to King Charles III responded to Harry's claims by insisting that he loves both of his sons and has kept communication channels open throughout the last few years, despite their relationship being occasionally tense. [31] The two reportedly met several times during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. [31] Sources also mentioned that a reconciliation between Harry and his family was impossible "because of the risk that anything they say being put in the public domain by Harry, potentially for commercial benefit. There has been a complete breakdown of trust." [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex</span> Member of the British royal family (born 1984)

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family. As the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, he is fifth in the line of succession to the British throne.

The British royal family comprises King Charles III and his close relations. There is no strict legal or formal definition of who is or is not a member, although the Royal Household has issued different lists outlining who is a part of the royal family. Members often support the monarch in undertaking public engagements, and pursue charitable work and interests. Members of the royal family are regarded as British and world cultural icons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William, Prince of Wales</span> Heir apparent to the British throne (born 1982)

William, Prince of Wales, is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piers Morgan</span> British journalist and television host (born 1965)

Piers Stefan Pughe-Morgan is an English broadcaster, journalist, writer, and media personality. He began his career in 1988 at the tabloid The Sun. In 1994, at the age of 29, he was appointed editor of the News of the World by Rupert Murdoch, which made him the youngest editor of a British national newspaper in more than half a century. From 1995, Morgan edited the Daily Mirror, but was fired in 2004. He was the editorial director of First News from 2006 to 2007. In 2014, Morgan became the first editor-at-large of the MailOnline website's US operation.

Thomas Matthew Bradby is a British journalist and novelist who currently presents the ITV News at Ten. He was previously political editor for ITV News from 2005 to 2015, and presented The Agenda with Tom Bradby, a political discussion series, from 2012 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsy Davy</span> Zimbabwean businesswoman (born 1985)

Chelsy Yvonne Davy is a Zimbabwean businesswoman. She is the owner and founder of the jewellery brand Aya and the travel agency Aya Africa. She is known for being the former girlfriend of Prince Harry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Colin Campbell</span> British author, socialite and television personality (born 1949)

Georgia Arianna, Lady Colin Campbell, also known as Lady C, is a British Jamaican author, socialite, and television personality who has published seven unauthorised books about the British royal family. They include biographies of Diana, Princess of Wales, of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meghan, Duchess of Sussex</span> Member of the British royal family and former actress (born 1981)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is an American member of the British royal family and a former actress. She is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the younger son of King Charles III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie Etchingham</span> English journalist (born 1969)

Julie Anne Etchingham is an English journalist who works as a television newsreader with ITV News. A graduate of Newnham College, Cambridge, Etchingham joined the BBC as a trainee after completing her studies, and went on to present the children's news programme Newsround in 1994. She joined Sky News in 2002, and also presented editions of Five News when Sky won the contract to produce news programming for Channel 5 in 2005.

Amol Rajan is an Indian-born British journalist, broadcaster and writer. Formerly the media editor of BBC News, he has been a presenter on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 since 2021 and replaced Jeremy Paxman as the host of University Challenge on 17 July 2023. Before joining the BBC, Rajan was appointed the editor of his newspaper The Independent in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle</span> 2018 British royal wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was held on Saturday 19 May 2018 in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. The groom is a member of the British royal family; the bride is American and previously worked as an actress, blogger, charity ambassador, and advocate.

Thomas Wayne Markle is an American retired television lighting director and director of photography. He received a Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for work on the television program Made in Chicago in 1975 and was a co-recipient of two Daytime Emmy Awards for work on the television soap opera General Hospital in 1982 and 2011. His youngest child is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex</span> Markle and Ragland families

Members of the Markle and Ragland families have been related by marriage to the British royal family since the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in May 2018, when she became the Duchess of Sussex. The couple have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex. The Markle family is of German descent and originates in Alsace on the modern French–German border, and Meghan's paternal ancestors moved to the United States in the 17th century; among her father's other ancestors are American settlers of English, Dutch, and Irish descent. The Ragland family is of African American descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frogmore Cottage</span> Historic building in Windsor, UK

Frogmore Cottage is a historic Grade II listed home on the Frogmore estate, which is part of Home Park in Windsor, England. The cottage was described as a 5,089 sq ft (472.8 m2), four bedroom and nursery, four bathroom single-residence house in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megxit</span> 2020 withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal duties

On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, announced on Instagram their decision to "step back as 'senior' members" of the British royal family, split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, become financially independent, and only represent the monarchy on a reduced basis. The decision was dubbed Megxit, a portmanteau of the words "Meghan" and "exit" and a play on the term Brexit. The term was adopted globally on mainstream and social media, spawning various Internet memes and "Megxit" merchandising.

Archewell Inc. is a Beverly Hills-based mix of for-profit and not-for-profit (charitable) business organizations registered in Delaware and founded in 2020 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The group includes the couple's non-profit charitable foundation, as well as for-profit business divisions focusing on media production, Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions.

Oprah with Meghan and Harry is a 2021 television special hosted by American media personality Oprah Winfrey, that featured an interview between Winfrey, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. The special premiered March 7, 2021, on CBS in the United States, and in the United Kingdom the next day on ITV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omid Scobie</span> British journalist and writer (born 1981)

Omid Scobie is a British journalist and writer best known as co-author of the book Finding Freedom and author of the book Endgame. Scobie's work focuses on the British royal family.

<i>Spare</i> (memoir) 2023 memoir by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Spare is a memoir by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, which was released on 10 January 2023. It was ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer and published by Penguin Random House. It is 416 pages long and available in digital, paperback, and hardcover formats and has been translated into fifteen languages. There is also a 15-hour audiobook edition, which Harry narrates himself.

<i>Harry & Meghan</i> 2022 documentary series on Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Harry & Meghan is an American documentary series streaming on Netflix, starring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The series has six parts and covers the couple's relationship from their early courtship to their decision to step back as working members of the British royal family and their subsequent activities. It also includes interviews with family, friends, historians, and journalists.

References

  1. ↑ "ITV to show UK exclusive Prince Harry interview with Tom Bradby, produced by ITN Productions". ITV Press Centre. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 Bryant, Miranda (2 January 2023). "Prince Harry: I would like my father and my brother back". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  3. ↑ Masih, Niha (3 January 2023). "Prince Harry discusses royal family breakdown in ITV, CBS interviews". The Washington Post . Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Harry says he won't stay silent and refuses to commit to his father's coronation". ITV. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Sachdeva, Maanya (8 January 2023). "'I do not want to be a single dad': Harry explains decision to leave the UK with Meghan". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  6. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (8 January 2023). "Prince Harry jokes about virginity story with Tom Bradby in ITV interview". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Kingsley, Thomas (8 January 2023). "Harry says members of royal family have 'gone to bed with the devil' to help press image". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (8 January 2023). "'There needs to be some accountability': Harry explains two main criticisms of father King Charles". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (8 January 2023). "Harry says being third wheel to William and Kate was 'fun but slightly awkward'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. ↑ Kingsley, Thomas (8 January 2023). "Prince Harry says there are '25 versions of bridesmaids story' about Meghan and Kate". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  11. ↑ Sachdeva, Maanya (8 January 2023). "Harry recounts 'horrible reaction from my family' after queen died". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  12. ↑ Sachdeva, Maanya (8 January 2023). "Harry addresses Jeremy Clarkson's 'horrific, hurtful and cruel' Meghan column". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  13. ↑ Sachdeva, Maanya (8 January 2023). "Prince Harry claims Camilla launched 'campaign' to marry his father". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  14. ↑ Kingsley, Thomas. "Prince Harry wishes royal family had been there for him in 'second darkest moment of my life'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  15. ↑ Kingsley, Thomas (8 January 2023). "Prince Harry responds to accusations of hypocrisy over memoir and Netflix documentary". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  16. ↑ Payne, Josh (8 January 2023). "Harry denies royal family is racist in ITV interview". The Independent. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Prince Harry denies he and Meghan said the royal family was racist". ITV. 8 January 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Penna, Dominic (8 January 2023). "Duke of Sussex defends Lady Susan Hussey and says she 'never meant any harm'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  19. ↑ Thrower, Antony (8 January 2023). "Harry defends royal aide who quit over race row – and says 'she's great, we love her'". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  20. 1 2 Goldbart, Max (9 January 2023). "UK TV Ratings: Prince Harry ITV Tell-All Watched By Just 4.1M". Deadline. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Harry: The Interview beaten by Happy Valley as ratings revealed". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  22. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (10 January 2023). "Prince Harry's ITV Tell-All Goes Global After Pre-Interview Deals". Deadline. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  23. 1 2 Burchill, Julie (3 January 2023). "The trouble with Prince Harry". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  24. 1 2 O'Grady, Sean (3 January 2023). "We're not asking the right question about Harry and Meghan". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  25. ↑ Hilton, Nick (8 January 2023). "Harry: The Interview review – Stage-managed and unchallenging from start to finish". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  26. ↑ Mangan, Lucy (8 January 2023). "Harry: The Interview review – so horribly sad it could have turned the Queen anti-monarchy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  27. ↑ Midgley, Carol (8 January 2023). "Prince Harry interview review — will the whingeing ever stop?". The Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  28. 1 2 3 Singh, Anita (8 January 2023). "Harry: The Interview, ITV – 'It was a strong interview but unpleasant to watch'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  29. ↑ Lewis, Isobel (9 January 2023). "Richard Madeley criticises Prince Harry over 'unconscious bias' remarks: 'You can't have it both ways'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  30. ↑ Giffin, Emily (15 January 2023). "Here's What The Media Should Be Asking Prince Harry". Katie Couric Media. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  31. 1 2 Ward, Victoria (3 January 2023). "Duke of Sussex 'wrong' to claim King Charles not willing to reconcile". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  32. ↑ Jamieson, Alastair (9 January 2023). "Royals despair as Harry 'kidnapped by cult of psychotherapy'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.