Michelle Obama Hopes For "Forgiveness" Between Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, And Royal Family
"Because there's nothing more important than family," said the former First Lady
Former First Lady Michelle Obama wants to see reconciliation between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
During an interview with Access Hollywood, Obama was asked how she felt about Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's recent tell-all conversation with Oprah Winfrey, during which the couple revealed that they felt unsupported during their time as married, senior working royals.
"My hope is that, when I think about what they're going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time," Obama said. "Because there's nothing more important than family."
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First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace in 2015. Photo: Getty
First Lady Michelle Obama and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace in 2015.
The Duchess of Sussex reportedly first met Obama in 2018, during the London stop of the former First Lady's Becoming book tour. "Meghan and Michelle met after the discussion and chatted for a long time. They’re very close," a source told BAZAAR.com at the time.
Obama also has a connection with the Duke of Sussex, whom she has met on several occasions. In 2016, Harry even recruited her to help launch the Invictus Games for wounded veterans in Orlando, Florida.
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During the Sussexes' interview with Winfrey, the couple revealed for the first time the difficulties of their time as senior royals. Meghan, in particular, struggled with her mental health during her first pregnancy with the couple's son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. At the time, an unidentified royal (not the queen nor Prince Philip) had expressed racist concerns over how dark Archie's skin color might be.
The lack of support within the monarchy compounded with the constant barrage of tabloid attacks took a toll on the duchess. "I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially because I know how much loss he suffered," she told Winfrey. "But I knew that if I didn't say it that I would do it. And I just didn't. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought."
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.
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