A journalist whose story was flagged in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey has hit back.
During the interview, Oprah had said Meghan was the target of “unrelenting, pervasive attacks” from the press, before flagging up articles written about her from several newspapers.
One of the stories was from a column by Telegraph writer Michael Deacon, titled: “The real problem with Meghan Markle : she just doesnt speak our language.”
Deacon has pointed out that the column was written in December 2020, more than 11 months after Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping down as senior royals – the Mirror UK reports.
He said his story couldn’t have played a part in their decision.
Deacon wrote in a column published on Thursday : “My column was published on December 19 last year, more than 11 months after Meghan announced she was stepping down as a senior royal.
Meghan and Harry sat down with Oprah to chat about their time in the palace (Image: Harpo Productions/ITV)
“So unless Meghan has access to a time machine, I tend to suspect that my influence on her decision was, at most, negligible.
“Especially as, up to that point, I’d never written a single word against her.”
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During the interview, screenshots of dozens articles written about Meghan were aired.
Oprah said: “When Meghan joined the Royal family in 2018 she became the target of unrelenting, pervasive attacks.”
Deacon’s article had accused Meghan of speaking “Californian”.
Deacon’s column said: “Essentially, it’s like a hippie version of corporate management-speak: schmaltzy gushing mixed with robotic jargon. It’s the language of people who are perpetually boasting about how ‘humbled’ they are.
(Image: Enterprise News and Pictures)
“And there appears to be nothing on earth they aren’t ‘passionate’ and ‘excited’ about, or ’empowered’ and ‘inspired’ by.”
Deacon wrote today: “Yet here was my column, being held up to the world as a brutal tirade that had helped make Meghan’s time in Britain unendurable.
“Perhaps Oprah and her team had been so blinded by horror at what I’d written, they hadn’t noticed the publication date. They certainly hadn’t shown the date on screen.”
During her interview, Meghan made a series of shocking allegations against the Royal Family.
She said she had been suicidal and claimed the Palace told her they couldn’t help her.
The couple claimed one of the royals was concerned about the colour of baby Archie’s skin, but they decided not to name them.
Harry also said Prince Charles stopped returning his calls when they made the decision to leave, admitting he felt “let down” by his dad.
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Buckingham Palace said in a statement released after the interview: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning.
“While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
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