The Sad, Striking Similarities Between Princess Diana and Meghan Markle’s Tell-All Interviews

The recent interview with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has drawn comparisons to the famous 1995 interview with Princess Diana. Despite the 26-year gap and different circumstances, there are striking similarities between their experiences.

Both women sat down with journalists for high-profile interviews, dubbed “bombshell” by the media. Meghan was in Montecito, California, with her husband Prince Harry, while Diana was alone in her London living room, shortly after Prince Charles admitted to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Meghan and Diana faced intense negative press attention and scrutiny, with Meghan also enduring racist social media trolls. Diana had her private conversations published, and the press labeled her as unstable.

While the details and timelines differed, their stories shared common threads: both contended with mental health struggles, overwhelming media scrutiny, and the harsh realities behind the fairy tale narratives surrounding their royal lives.

As the dust settles from Meghan’s interview, the parallels between their experiences have become evident, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in the royal spotlight and the enduring impact of their candid revelations.

The 1995 BBC interview with Princess Diana was a groundbreaking event that shook the foundations of the British monarchy. In an unprecedented move, Diana candidly discussed deeply personal topics, including her struggles with bulimia, depression, and the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles, alluding to his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. This candid revelation, watched by nearly 40% of the UK population, significantly impacted public perception of the royal family.

Fast forward over two decades, and history seemed to repeat itself when Diana’s son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan Markle, gave their own tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, shortly after stepping back from their royal duties. The language used by both women in their respective interviews is strikingly similar, reflecting the shared challenges they faced within the confines of the monarchy.

Both Diana and Meghan expressed a lack of understanding about the realities of royal life, feeling overwhelmed by constant media scrutiny and the pressures of their roles. They spoke of feeling trapped and ashamed, with Diana admitting she didn’t like herself and Meghan revealing her suicidal thoughts. Their references to “people in my environment” and “the institution” highlighted the perceived constraints imposed by the royal establishment.