Watching Meghan unveil her story was heartbreaking | Annie Lewis

Although it’s not unusual for royals to take part in such interviews – Fergie was interviewed by Oprah in 1996; Diana’s bombshell interview by Martin Bashir was recorded in 1995; Andrew’s catastrophic performance on BBC Newsnight was in 2019 – this one felt different. Perhaps that’s because this interview was set against a backdrop of serious bullying allegations, stories of Prince Philip’s heart condition and the decision that Harry and Meghan had officially stepped away as working royals, losing all of their patronages and honorary appointments simultaneously.

When I watched Oprah interview Meghan and Harry on Monday – alongside 11.3m other people – I felt a resounding sadness. Whether you agree or disagree with Meghan’s past or the way she took control of her future, there is simply no denying that listening to her emotional turmoil, caused by racism and harassing media, was heartbreaking. It begs the question that if anyone was in her or Harry’s shoes, wouldn’t we wish to leave what was making us so desperately unhappy too?

The interview dropped a number of hypothetical bombs on Buckingham Palace and I hope this will change the way ‘The Firm’ acts for years to come.

Meghan, and everything she stood for, was a breath of fresh air for the Royal Family. She flew through the tours she and Harry embarked upon and acted as a role model that many people –especially women and girls of colour – could look up to. It’s a shame The Firm did not realise what a great asset she was.

Harry feared history was repeating itself, referring to the mistreatment of his mother, Diana. Many commentators have said the palace should have learnt from their mistakes by now. However as the old adage goes: once is a mistake, twice is a decision.

I am a big fan of the Royal Family and the work they do. However, if they do not change, I fear for their future in coming generations.

Piers Morgan acted like a silly, petulant child on GMB

After Piers Morgan’s tirade about Meghan on Good Morning Britain on Monday, UK mental health charity Mind revealed they were ‘in conversations with ITV’.

The presenter and Daily Mail columnist had unleashed abuse towards Meghan on a regular basis, using ITV’s breakfast show as a platform to project his views. That was until ITV released a statement saying he is leaving the show as media regulator Ofcom revealed they received 41,000 complaints due to his rant about Meghan.

I’m glad Piers has finally been held accountable. Although he attracted an audience, ITV have proven morals and character are just as important.

A one per cent pay rise for the NHS isn’t good enough

Rishi Sunak’s budget last week was largely well received.

His fiscal policies include continuing the furlough scheme until September 2021 and £1.6bn will go towards continuing the vaccine rollout and improving future preparedness.

However, one statement which has undermined and under-appreciated the great work of our NHS is the fact they will only get a one per cent pay rise. NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens tells MPs that previous plans had budgeted for a 2.1 per cent salary increase this year.

This is extremely unfair. But what government ever pays our NHS the money they deserve?