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Prince Harry says ‘toxic’ British press forced Meghan Markle and him to step back: 'I didn't walk away'

Prince Harry was speaking during a candid interview with James Corden on ‘The Late Late Show’ while taking a bus tour of Los Angeles

Prince Harry blamed “toxic” British media for stepping back from his royal duties during a candid interview with James Corden on his show, ‘The Late Late Show’. Taking a bus tour of Los Angeles with Corden, the Duke of Sussex said, “I did not walk away", but was forced to leave to protect his mental health. He continued that it was a "really difficult environment, as I think a lot of people saw", before adding as reported by Sky News, “We all know what the British press can be like. And it was destroying my mental health. I was like... 'this is toxic'."

Harry went on to say, “So I did what any husband and father would do - I need to get my family out of here. But we never walked away - and as far as I'm concerned, what decisions are made on that side - I will never walk away. I will always be contributing - my life is public service - so wherever I am in the world it is going to be the same thing.” The 36-year-old also mentioned that he along with his wife Meghan Markle are "trying to bring some compassion and try to make people happy and change the world in any small way we can".

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During the conversation, the soon-to-father also talked about Netflix hit series, ‘The Crown’. He said, “They don't pretend to be news - it's fictional. But it's loosely based on the truth. Of course, it's not strictly accurate, but it gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle - the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else - what can come from that." Harry explained, “I'm way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife or myself. Because it's the difference between fiction - take it how you will - but this [news reports] is being reported on as fact because you're supposedly news. I have a real issue with that."

Harry was very sure about the actor when Corden asked him who he would like to see play him on ‘The Crown’, he replied, “Damian Lewis". Later, the prince discussed his relationship with Meghan. "It wasn't so much where we went but the fact we hit it off with each other, and we were just so comfortable in each other's company. Dating me or any member of the Royal Family is kind of flipped upside down. All the dates become dinners or watching the TV or chatting at home,” he said.

The interview took a very interesting turn when Harry revealed The Queen gifted a waffle-maker for Christmas to his son Archie. He stated, “My grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle-maker. So she sent a waffle-maker for Archie!" He also said the Queen and Prince Philip talked to him and his family via Zoom.

Several people took to Twitter to comment on Harry’s interview. One user commented, “I thought he wanted privacy?” Another said, “Has he forgot, he's not a royal anymore...Or was that a nasty dig at our Royal Family.” “Well he's gotta make money somehow. The signified royal route is down the toilet, guess he's now a show monkey,” a person wrote. The second one added, “Really shows up the mixed up & twisted way he sees the world: I've lost my HRH title but call myself Royal Decided to step down - but now it's stepping back 'Will never walk away' (from the family) but refers to them as: 'that side' Wants privacy but is lining up Int' interviews.”