- Oprah Winfrey says she put "a lot of time and effort and energy" into her interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- The interview, which broadcast globally in March, saw the couple open up about everything from racism to their mental health struggles.
- "Our shared intention was the truth," Oprah says, reflecting on the "powerful" interview.
Oprah is opening up about her bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The interview, which aired in countries across the globe in March, saw the couple open up about about everything from racism within the firm, to their mental health struggles, which resulted in Meghan considering taking her own life.
Now, while promoting her book What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, Oprah tells The Nancy O'Dell Channel on talkshoplive of the interview: "I had no idea that it would have the reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have."
The famed talk show host said she put "a lot of time and effort and energy" into making sure nothing leaked to the public; she also says she wanted to be sure she got the couple's purpose for doing the interview across.
"I didn't see Meghan and Harry before, but I did text them and say intention is very part important to me, tell me what your intention is so that we can be aligned in our goal," she says. "Our shared intention was the truth. They wanted to be able to tell their story and tell it in such a way that allowed them to be as truthful as possible."
She said she was "surprised" at how "forthcoming" they were – "What? You're going there? You're going all the way there," she recalls thinking – but that's ultimately what made it so impactful, she says.
"The reason why it was such a powerful interview... What makes it powerful is when you have somebody else who is willing to be as open as vulnerable, as truthful as they were. The reason the interview was what it was was because they answered the way they did."
Following the interview, the royal family released a statement saying they were "saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan," while Prince William denied claims of the family being "racist".
Harry has since returned to California after attending grandfather Prince Philip's funeral, after which it was said he had peace talks with Prince Charles and Prince William.