Meghan and Harry Oprah interview: CBS ‘bought footage of Thomas Markle from ITV’

CBS has bought extensive footage of Meghan Markle‘s father Thomas from ITV ahead of the upcoming bombshell interview, reports say – as royal sources cast doubt over her claim that she could not be interviewed by Oprah three years ago.  

Audiences will finally hear the Sussexes give their version of their tumultuous split from royal life from a two-hour special hosted by US chat show host Oprah Winfrey. 

In a clip shown before the full interview’s release, Oprah makes reference to phoning Meghan in early 2018 to ask about an interview ahead of her marriage to Harry, revealing that the Duchess told her, ‘I’m sorry, it’s not the right time’. 

Meghan implied that she could not speak freely while royal aides were listening to the call, and two royal sources said the two women privately met at Kensington Palace not long after their conversion.   

But it has now been claimed that Meghan was far from gagged and had been cultivating personal relationships with media figures such as Oprah while in ‘constant consultation’ with US advisers – along with palace PR staff.

One insider told the Sunday Telegraph: ‘It was the Duchess calling all the shots throughout. She was given advice but ultimately it was Meghan and Harry who took the decisions.’

Audiences will finally hear the Sussexes give their version of their tumultuous split from royal life from a two-hour special hosted by US chat show host Oprah Winfrey

A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Oprah is likely to show Meghan clips of things Thomas has said – and then ask for her response. It should lead to some dramatic moments

A second said: ‘Requests would come in daily from all over the world. They had their pick of who to speak to and the freedom to choose. The idea they were gagged in any way just isn’t accurate.’

A source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Oprah is likely to show Meghan clips of things Thomas has said – and then ask for her response. It should lead to some dramatic moments.

‘Meghan – and Harry – have never publicly addressed what’s gone on with him.’ 

In the lead-up to the tell-all interview it has also been claimed in the Sunday Times that Meghan ‘went mental’ at her PA who ordered blankets that were not the correct shade of red. 

Meghan, 39, told her personal assistant Melissa Touabti to buy personalised blankets for every guest at a shooting party for friends of the duke, it is claimed. 

‘When they arrived, they weren’t the right shade of red for Meghan and she went mental at Melissa,’ a source told the Sunday Times.  

Ms Toubati left the Royal Household six months after Meghan and Harry’s wedding, the reports claim. 

The Sunday Times report that the duchess has declined to comment on these claims.  

MailOnline has contacted the Sussexes – who have denied bullying staff – for comment. 

It was claimed last week Meghan faced a bullying complaint brought forward by one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace. 

A spokesman for the Sussexes appeared to blame the Palace for leaking the claims, saying the couple were ‘the victims of a calculated smear campaign’.