DUKED OUT
Prince Philip ‘doesn’t know full Meghan Markle and Harry Oprah fallout’ as Royals protected him, expert claims
PRINCE Philip doesn't know the full extent of the fallout following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Oprah interview, an expert has claimed.
The Royal Family protected the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, during his month-long convalescence in hospital - and he remains unaware of the serious breaches caused by the chat.
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And a pal of Meghan's has claimed that, had the royal fallen more seriously ill, the couple had agreed to postpone the interview altogether.
Prince Philip left hospital yesterday after he was admitted with an infection before undergoing heart surgery.
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl said his family are trying their best to shield him from the explosive claims made during the tell-all interview, which aired while he was unwell.
She told Australian outlet : "The family are very keen that he's not aware of the full extent of the interview."
And while widespread coverage of the chat might make it "impossible for him to completely avoid it", she claims "efforts were made to protect him from the full force of the fall-out."
It comes as:
- Biographer Omid Scobie claims there were "double standards" after the backlash when a pal of Meghan's spilled on peace talks between William and Harry
- Royal experts say Meghan 'would have know why Archie wasn't made a prince'
- Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh slams "mean-spirited" Meghan for "leaking" private conversations
- Donald Trump says he wants to 'take on Meghan' if she runs for president in 2024 as he's "not a fan"
- Piers Morgan accuses Meghan and Harry of "malicious campaign" to smear the royals
Prince Philip spent 28 nights as a patient in London at King Edward VII's Hospital and St Bartholomew's Hospital - his longest ever stay.
He was initially admitted on a precautionary basis for an infection, before having a heart operation midway through his four-week period in hospital.
But he walked out of hospital yesterday - and waved as he arrived home to Windsor, with sources saying he was in "good spirits".
Son Prince Charles, 72, said he was "thrilled" his father had been released from hospital and he has spoken to Philip "several times".
And a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "His Royal Highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both King Edward VII’s Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes."
INTERVIEW POSTPONED 'HAD PHILIP'S CONDITION WORSENED'
Katie said: "It was a great relief to see him leave in a car, not an ambulance, but he did look very, very frail in the backseat.
"I know the family are relieved he's home but also deeply concerned about his health."
And Philip left hospital on another day of difficulties for the royals.
Meghan Markle's pal Gayle King yesterday revealed Harry has spoken to Charles and William for the first time since the interview aired - but said talks were "unproductive".
She told CBS This Morning: "Well, I did actually call them to see how they are feeling, it's true, Harry has talked to his brother and his father, too.
"The word I was given was, those conversations were not productive. But they are glad they at least started a conversation."
The breakfast show host also suggested that Meghan was unhappy no one in the Royal Family had thought to telephone her - and said Meghan and Harry agreed to pull the interview if Prince Philip's condition had worsened.
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"Just so you know, they had done that interview before Prince Phillip went into the hospital, and if something, God forbid, had happened to him, the interview would not have run at this particular time," she said.
"But the interview was done and was scheduled before he went into the hospital. But a lot of people have raised that point."
Harry accused the Royal Family of racism and Meghan blasted William’s wife Kate in the tell-all chat.
He also claimed William and their father, Prince Charles, were “trapped” by their royal responsibilities.
And Meghan said her sister-in-law, Kate, received preferential treatment and made her cry during a dress fitting before her wedding to Harry.
The princes have barely spoken to each other for more than a year after Harry and Meghan “blindsided” the Queen and announced Megxit on their Sussex Royal Instagram page.
There has been no official response from Buckingham Palace - but a senior royal source said: "None of the households – the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – will be giving a running commentary on private conversations."
William became the first royal to speak out personally about racism allegations.
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Last Thursday, as he visited a school for an engagement, he told reporters the royals are "very much not a racist family".
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After the interview aired, the palace released a statement voicing "concern" over the issues raised, "particularly that of race".
However, the statement added that "some recollections may vary".
'No-one in the Royal Family has spoken to Meghan yet' - Gayle King reveals details of follow-up chat after Oprah interview
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