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Prince Harry and Megan Markle sought to shed light on their new initiative, The Parent Project, however the conversation took an unexpected and controversial turn when the Duke of Sussex lashed out at veteran journalist Jane Poultney. The interview, which was meant to showcase the couple's efforts to support families affected by online bullying, quickly descended into a tense exchange after Poultney made a seemingly innocuous comment.
When she remarked "Well, you hope that when your children ask for help, someone you know is there to give it," Harry interjected saying "If you know how to help, this would be the perfect opportunity for you to give help." This unprompted interruption from the Prince did not sit well with his wife Megan Markle, who was caught on camera giving Harry a quick side-eye glance. This gesture was interpreted by many observers as a sign of her clear displeasure with his unexpected outburst during the interview.
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Viewers were quick to pick up on the tense exchange, with commentators describing Megan's reaction as "frightening" and wondering what seemed to be worrying her so much. Body language experts noted that she appeared extremely tense throughout the remainder of the interview. But the controversy did not end with just this one heated moment. According to some reports, the root of the tension may have stemmed from Prince Harry's alleged insistence that Poultney address him as "Your Highness" during the interview.
If true, this demand would have been a significant departure from the couple's previous stance where they had expressed a desire to distance themselves from their royal titles after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The reported request for the honorific title sparked outrage among both royal enthusiasts and commentators, who accused Harry of hypocrisy and a desire to maintain aspects of his former royal status that he and Megan have publicly criticized. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that the American audience the interview was aimed at would have received it more positively, suggesting the couple's actions may have been a calculated move to appeal to their stateside supporter base.
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Aside from the tense exchange, the interview also raised questions about Megan's demeanor and body language during the discussion. Observers noted that the Duchess appeared to be placing mental distance between herself and the presenter. Body language expert Inbal Honigman pointed to Megan's slow blinking and tendency to gaze away, suggesting she wanted to separate herself from the conversation. In contrast, Honigman said Poultney seemed to have a more affectionate and engaged reaction when interacting with Prince Harry, as shown through her constant eye contact and parted lips.
This perceived difference in the presenter's treatment of the two royals only added to the controversy around the already tense interview. The incident with Poultney is just the latest in a series of public clashes and controversies that have plagued the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since their decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. Their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they leveled accusations of racism and neglect against the royal family, continues to strain their relationships with the rest of the House of Windsor.
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The ongoing tensions within the royal family have been further exacerbated by the couple's numerous media ventures, including their Netflix docuseries and Megan's upcoming lifestyle brand. As the Sussexes continue to navigate their new non-royal roles and public personas, the scrutiny and criticism they face from both the media and the public shows no signs of abating. The fallout from the contentious CBS interview has serious potential to further damage the Sussex's public image, particularly in the United States where they have sought to establish a new support base since relocating.
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The perception of Harry's unprompted outburst and Megan's apparent discomfort throughout could seriously undermine their efforts to present themselves as compassionate and relatable figures dedicated to important causes. While The Parent Project aims to support families dealing with online bullying, this high-profile interview may end up accomplishing the opposite by inviting more criticism and controversy towards the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. As the latest in a string of incidents that cast them in an unfavorable light, it remains to be seen if they can bounce back from this exchange in the court of public opinion.
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