Prince Harry and Meghan should 'stay in La La Land' rages former Portsmouth council boss ahead of royal couple's Oprah Winfrey chat

More than a year has passed since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan announced they would ‘step back’ from being senior members of the Royal Family.

Now living in the US, the couple have officially resigned from their roles and have recorded a bombshell interview with chat show Oprah Winfrey.

Set to air on ITV at 9pm on Monday, it is expected to contain details about their experiences of life as working royals together, before they quit and moved to the States.

In a brief clip released by broadcaster CBS in advance, Meghan tells Oprah how the couple were bullied by the Royal Family – which she calls ‘The Firm’.

‘I don't know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,’ says the actress.

But Portsmouth’s Conservative leader, Councillor Donna Jones has lashed out at the couple’s actions

Cllr Jones said: ‘I’m extremely disappointed with the conduct of Meghan and Harry.

‘I absolutely respect their right to resign as full-time working royals and to have a life in the USA, but, what sticks in my craw is the incessant complaints about the media: bullying, harassment etcetera.

‘The irony of their new lives has not been lost on the British public, basing their new lives on appearing in the press, in the public eye, doing world-leading interviews such as Oprah. It makes me very sad for Her Majesty the Queen.’

Cllr Jones vented her fury at Harry and Meghan’s move to launch the ‘Sussex Royal’ brand, complete with its own website, social media accounts and trademarks, which she said would have ‘taken months’.

The Tory leader, who is vying to become Hampshire’s next police and crime commissioner, claimed lawyers would have known about the royal couple’s plans before their family

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‘I have no expectation of Meghan, she is what she is, but Harry – these people are his family,’ she added. ‘His grandfather is very frail and expected to be in hospital for weeks, and he agrees to take part in a TV show with Meghan.

‘I think La La Land is the best place for them.’

But military veterans have defended Prince Harry’s decision.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Chris Parker, who grew up in Horndean and is chairman of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment Association, said the prince was a hugely respected figure – and had the support of the military community.

He added: ‘All veterans like Prince Harry as he is a veteran and has worked hard for veterans. He is not alone in finding it a bit hard to adjust after service life and he has fewer choices than us.’

Another serving member of the military from Portsmouth, who asked not to be named, added Prince Harry had a right to break the silence imposed on him by the Royal Family.

‘I totally get why he has stepped away from the Royal Family, I completely understand how it’s affected his mental health and his ability to live under a reign of uncertainty and anxiety for so long… so why not step away from all the drama,’ they said.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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