Meghan Markle and Harry: Expert discusses Oprah interview

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The ongoing situation makes it “difficult to argue” in favour of the current system in place, Robert Jobson has warned. He said the Sussexes should either fully commit themselves to the family or cut the cord completely, warning their prominence in the line-of-succession was an issue.

He issued his warning after it emerged Meghan and Harry were taking part in a bombshell sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey.

It also followed news the family were expecting a new member, with Meghan pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Royal author Mr Jobson argued Prince Harry, Archie and his second child’s prominent position in the line-of-succession to the British throne while living abroad with no part in royal duties makes it hard to speak in favour of a constitutional monarchy.

He was replying to a Tweet by Daily Mirror associate editor Kevin Maguire, who shared a link to a story about the Oprah interview and said: “I’d like to thank this couple for everything they do to make Britain a republic.” 

Mr Jobson wrote in response: “Makes it very difficult to argue for the system of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy in the UK when Harry, Archie and Meghan and Harry’s unborn child (irrespective of sex) are 6th, 7th and (when born) 8th in the line to the throne.

“They should be in or out.”

Despite having stood down as a senior royal and relinquished the use of his HRH style, Prince Harry retains his position in the line to the throne.

While he was born third-in-line, the Duke of Sussex was bumped down the succession line after Kate and Prince William had their children. 

Nevertheless, he retains a prominent position in sixth-in-line and is set to remain so until Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis start their own families.

As a consequence, Harry and Meghan’s firstborn Archie and future second child also have a prominent place in the line of succession.

Changes to the line of succession can’t be single-handedly decided by the Queen, as it requires an Act of Parliament to modify who has the rights to access the throne.

Other royal watchers have hit out at the decision to conduct the interview with Oprah. 

The Daily Mail’s royal correspondent Rebecca English wrote: “The decision to take part in the interview risks angering – and embarrassing – the Royal Family.”

The Daily Express’ royal correspondent, Richard Palmer, wrote on Twitter: “Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey has put the cat among the pigeons again.”

The Queen’s former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter, believes the Sussexes’ chat with Oprah won’t be a tell-all interview in which they will unveil the behind the scenes of Megxit or their relationship with Royal Family members.

He wrote on Twitter: “So #HarryandMeghan are to give a tell-all interview with Oprah on prime time TV. 

“Tell all? I doubt it. They’re likely to talk about what they want to achieve with their Archewell Foundation, settling in the US and raising a family, and perhaps about their work and contacts in the UK.”

US network CBS confirmed yesterday Meghan and Harry are to take part in an “intimate conversation” with Oprah on March 7.

During this special, Meghan will speak alone to Oprah about “everything from stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood, philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure.”

The Duke of Sussex will join his wife later to speak “about their move to the US and their future hopes and dreams for their expanding family”. 

News of the interview, the first the couple will take part in since stepping down as senior royals almost 12 months ago, came just hours after the Duke and Duchess announced they are expecting a second child.

Sharing a brief statement, a spokesperson for Meghan and Harry said: “We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.”

The statement was accompanied by a black and white picture taken remotely by photographer Misan Harriman.

In the snap, Harry and Meghan lay down in their garden under a tree while looking at each other smiling.     

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