The Sussexes ‘were in shock at Palace’s statement’ stripping them of their titles when they saw Oprah

Meghan and Harry already knew they were stripped of their titles and patronages when they sat down for their ‘no banned subject’ interview with Oprah Winfrey, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

But the Sussexes were reportedly left shaken by the tone of the heavily worded statement in which the announcement was made on behalf of the Queen.

Sources say their shock at least partly explains the anger and pain displayed by the couple during the trailers released ahead of tonight’s prime-time CBS interview.

The Queen has had several private conversations with Harry in the previous weeks, in which she explained that it would be impossible for him and Meghan to retain their patronages if they confirmed that they were not performing their official duties .

But the statement announcing the move, released by Buckingham Palace on February 19, was potentially explosive from the perspective of the Royal Family – and risked the kind of on-screen reaction American viewers are likely to see tonight.

References to “a life of public service” were a particular bone of contention for Harry who had been on two tours of Afghanistan with the British Army.

The couple were also reportedly upset that the Queen chose to sign their announcement saying ‘we are all saddened by their decision’ rather than wishing them well for the future.

The timing also sparked anger, given that a review of the couple’s decision to step down from royal duties was not due until later this month.

For her part, billionaire Oprah, a cat veteran with over 40 years of television experience, described the show to her colleagues as “ the best interview she has ever done. ”

Hours after the Buckingham Palace declaration, photographs were taken of his boarding a plane at Santa Barbara Airport, 15 miles from the Sussexes’ £ 11million mansion.

Reports suggest that Oprah had only met Meghan once before being invited to the royal wedding in May 2018 when she was described as a ‘friend of the couple’. They are believed to have been introduced via the US network CBS and met when Oprah found herself in London.

The 67-year-old said she had previously requested an interview with Meghan, but her request was turned down, with the Duchess apparently telling her it was ‘not the right time’.

“ I remember that conversation, ” Meghan told Oprah in one of the interview trailers. “I wasn’t even allowed to have this conversation with you personally. There must be people setting there.

Meghan goes on to say that now is the right time because “ we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn’t have said yes (to a previous interview request). It was not my choice to make.

“ So as an adult who has lived a truly independent life and then comes into this construction which is different from what I think people imagine, it’s really liberating to have the right and the privilege to say, “Yes, I’m ready to talk. ”

In addition to losing his military titles, Harry was also forced to give up his post as boss of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League.

The couple had served as chairman and vice chairman of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, an organization set up by the Duke’s office in 2018 and which it was hoped would give them both an international role.

But these also reverted to the Queen, while the Duchess lost her position as patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

The move also meant Meghan was stripped of her patronage of the National Theater, a role given to the former actress by the Queen after holding it for 45 years.

Following the Queen’s announcement, the clearly stung Sussexes issued a response shortly thereafter. ‘As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service in the UK and around the world and have offered their continued support to the organizations that they represented whatever their official role, ” wrote.

“We can all live a life of service. The service is universal.

The separation plan has been described by commentators as ‘insulting’ and ‘horribly disrespectful’ to the Queen.

The Sussexes later claimed this had been “taken out of context”.

But it was noted that on the couple’s recently updated Archewell Foundation logo, the word “ Service ” appears prominently.

The couple keep their private bosses. These include Harry’s role at Sentebale, a mental health charity, and the Invictus Games Foundation. Meghan is also the godmother of Smart Works, which gives job interview clothing and training to women in need, and the Mayhew animal charity.