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Meghan Markle was left upset after a letter from King Charles did not address her belief that neglect led to her feeling suicidal or concerns over the launch of a bullying probe into her, it was claimed last night.
The Duchess of Sussex wrote to King Charles about the issues, as well as about unconscious bias in the Royal family after her bombshell Oprah interview, it has been claimed.
She is believed to have brought up her poor mental health while participating as a working royal, having claimed in the interview that she reached the point of feeling suicidal but was told by palace aides she was not allowed to seek professional help.
There was also said to be disappointment that the letter from Charles did not address her concerns about the bullying probe which was launched into her behaviour towards staff.
These feelings may have played a part in the Duchess’ decision to remain in California while Prince Harry attends the coronation, The Telegraph reports.
It is understood that it was sent in reply to one from the King – the only senior member of the family to make contact with the Duchess after Meghan and Harry were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 (pictured)
Meghan Markle wrote to King Charles about unconscious bias in the Royal family after her bombshell Oprah interview, it was claimed last night (the Duchess of Sussex is pictured with King Charles in March 2019 at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey)
It is understood that Meghan’s letter was sent in reply to one from the King – the only senior member of the family thought to have contacted the Duchess after Meghan and Harry were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
The Duchess of Sussex described in the show how she became mentally unwell and was brought to the point of self-harm.
She told Oprah: ‘I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.
‘And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember, I remember how [Harry] just cradled me and I was… I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.
‘I said that I’ve never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.’
According to last night’s reports, Meghan thanked the King for his words, but felt that the concerns she had raised have still not been resolved.
The letters also reportedly named the individual accused of speculating about her unborn son Archie’s skin colour – a conversation Prince Harry confirmed to the host did take place.
Meghan is said to have told the then-Prince of Wales she had never intended to accuse them of being racist.
She did not use the word ‘racist’ when she was interviewed by Oprah, and is understood to have told the King she had wanted to start a conversation over unconscious bias.
Meghan and Charles agreed the comment over Archie’s skin was not made with malice.
Buckingham Palace is also aware of the Sussexes’ frustration that initial correspondence about the Coronation made no reference to their children.
It is understood the couple’s invite made no reference to their children, despite Archie’s fourth birthday being on the same day as the ceremony.
Harry will instead attend the celebration on May 6 alone, while Meghan looks after Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in California.
Meghan Markle was left upset after a letter from King Charles did not address her belief that neglect led to her feeling suicidal
The Duchess of Sussex’s letter reportedly named the individual accused of speculating about her unborn son Archie’s skin colour – but went on to claim the person wasn’t racist (pictured with Prince Archie in Cape Town in September 2019 while touring South Africa)
The couple’s friend Omid Scobie confirmed Archie’s birthday ‘played a factor in the couple’s decision’ and he expected it would be a ‘fairly quick trip to the UK’ for Harry. The Duke will only attend the ceremony itself, which is likely to last a few hours.
Mr Scobie, who is a trusted contact of the Sussexes, tweeted the news of Harry’s forthcoming attendance and then added: ‘I understand that Archie’s fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple’s decision.
‘Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.’
The announcement came just over three weeks until the event, and a royal observer told MailOnline: ‘Charles will be pleased. The rest of the family will be relieved that Meghan won’t be there – it would have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate.’
Harry and Meghan had delayed their decision over whether they would fly in for the ceremony, despite the RSVP date of April 3 having passed.
A royal insider suggested that while the exchange was warm in tone, it had not eased the tension between the two sides.
Relations continued to sour after the Sussexes stared in a six-part Netflix docu-series and the publication of the Harry’s revealing memoir, Spare.
Charles, who at the time was Prince of Wales, is said to be disappointed that Meghan and Harry felt the need to make such damaging allegations public.
He recently gave backing to a research project into the monarch’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade, having previously expressed ‘personal sorrow’.
MailOnline contacted the Sussexes for comment.
Prince Harry has touched on unconscious bias in the past. In January this year, he spoke to Tom Bradby on ITV to promote his memoir.
The presenter said ‘in the Oprah interview you accused members of your family of racism’, Harry responded by saying ‘no I didn’t’, adding ‘the British press said that’.
After Bradby said the Cuchess claimed troubling comments were made about Archie’s skin colour, Harry said: ‘There was concern about his skin colour.’
He continued: ‘The difference between racism and unconscious bias, the two things are different.’
Meghan said the comment over Archie’s skin was not made with malice. But a source told the Daily Telegraph that the Duchess will not attend the Coronation on May 6 because she received a unsatisfactory response from the King (pictured with the King and Queen Consort in Mary 2018)
Buckingham Palace is also aware of the Sussexes’ frustration that initial correspondence about the Coronation made no reference to their children
Prince Harry is to attend the coronation of his father King Charles and his stepmother Queen Camilla alone
‘But once it’s been acknowledged, or pointed out to you as an individual, or as an institution, that you have unconscious bias, you therefore have an opportunity to learn and grow from that in order so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.’
He credited his wife for opening his eyes to unconscious bias in the couple’s Netflix series, release late last year.
It has also been reported that Prince Harry was ‘desperate’ to be at the Coronation to publicly support his father because he is ‘homesick’.
The Sun reports that despite the Duke having made repeated attempts to contact the King to discuss the plans during his time back in London, his father has only been able to pencil in time for one conversation.
It is understood that Harry was ‘missing aspects of British life’ and ‘may start spending more time’ in the UK.
A source told the publication: ‘Harry was desperate to come back for the Coronation and spend quality time with his family.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement after Prince Harry confirmed his attendance: ‘Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.’
Archewell, Harry and Meghan’s charitable foundation, then issued a near identical statement to the Press Association news agency confirming the Duke will attend.
A spokesman said: ‘The Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.’
Charles will be crowned in a ceremony full of pomp, pageantry and traditions that date back 1,000 years, following the 70-year reign of his mother Queen Elizabeth II who died last September.
And ITV News royal editor Chris Ship said: ‘Given everything that been said/alleged – in six Netflix episodes and one book – this is a big development.
‘But Harry coming alone does mean less pressure on the Royal Family – and fewer of those awkward photographs together.’
Harry is understood to be flying back to California just hours after the ceremony for his father’s coronation is done.
Royal sources claimed Harry told the King that he will not stay in Britain for the star-studded concert at Windsor Castle the following day – and will instead fly back to the US after the ceremony so he can be with his family and belatedly celebrate Archie’s fourth birthday, which is also on May 6.
Harry will play no part in next month’s official procession, walking in and out as a guest. Front row seats will be reserved for working members of the Royal Family. Sources have also indicated that the Duke delayed replying to the invitation to the coronation because he was ‘preoccupied’ by where he would have to sit during the ceremony.
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