Behind the scenes of explosive Prince Harry interview: ‘Subdued’

The BBC journalist behind his explosive interview, along with other insiders, have revealed what went on behind the scenes.

IN LONDON

It was the interview that sent shockwaves around the world – and reportedly through the halls of Buckingham Palace.

Prince Harry’s explosive sit-down with the BBC, just hours after losing his appeal to overturn the decision to remove his police security detail in the UK, saw him brand the long-running legal saga a “good old-fashion establishment stitch-up” and reveal his father “won’t speak” to him.

Given his Netflix docu-series, Harry & Meghan, and the many interviews he’s given since quitting royal duties, it was far from the first time the Duke of Sussex had spoken so candidly about the personal issues plaguing relationships within his family.

However, according to the UK’s Times, unlike those previous “heavily controlled” settings, “nothing was off limits” when he sat down with BBC journalist Nada Tawfik last Friday.

Sources added to the publication that while Harry was “subdued”, he was “very keen to talk”.

The interview was reportedly co-ordinated by the chief communications officer for Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation, Meredith Maines, and was expected to last just ten minutes.

Instead, Harry opted to speak for around half an hour.

Harry’s interview stunned royal watchers. Picture: BBC

BBC journalist Nada Tawfik has shared new details of how it unfolded on the day. Picture: BBC

After it aired, Ms Tawfik opened up about what went on behind-the-scenes, describing how Harry arrived at the agreed meeting location, a few kilometres from his home with Meghan and their kids, “without an entourage”. She wrote in an article for the BBC that he “politely introduced himself” to the journalist and her production crew, making sure to shake everyone’s hands.

“We began with some very brief small talk, which always helps to break the ice before a formal sit down, but we didn’t touch the topic at hand until the cameras started rolling,” Ms Tawfik explained.

“Prince Harry was eager to share his feelings, despite the critical scrutiny that follows him. As the interviewer, I was also keenly aware of that scrutiny.”

She added that it was “important’ to address the major, but somewhat uncomfortable questions, including “why taxpayers should pay for his security” and “why a change of status wasn’t warranted given he wasn’t a working royal”, among other sensitive topics.

“He wasn’t defensive or combative, and he wanted to address each of those points,” Ms Tawfik recalled.

“ … With his foot tapping frequently as he spoke, he was surprisingly candid and forthcoming.”

Harry told the BBC that the court ruling on Friday had left him in a position where he “can’t see a world” in which he’d bring Meghan or their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3, “back to the UK at this point”.

The interview took place “a few miles” from his Montecito home. Picture: BBC

He added that “there have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family”, but insisted that he’d “forgiven” them and wanted “reconciliation”.

“There’s no point continuing to fight any more, life is precious,” Harry said, explaining that the security issue had “always been the sticking point”.

The Montecito-based duke also admitted he was “devastated” by the legal outcome.

“I’m devastated – not so much as devastated with the loss that I am about the people behind the decision, feeling as though this is okay. Is it a win for them?” Harry asked.

“I’m sure there are some people out there, probably most likely the people that wish me harm, [who] consider this a huge win.”

While there were plenty of jaw-dropping moments within the interview, it was Harry’s remarks about his father’s health amid his cancer battle that caused a major stir with many.

“I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff,” Harry admitted.

According to the UK’s Telegraph the comment about the King’s lifespan was found to be in particularly “poor taste” within the inner royal circle.

Following the court ruling and subsequent public reaction from Harry, the Palace took the rare step of issuing a response.

As a spokesman pointed out in the statement: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”