Meghan Markle and Harry had Oprah staff sign 'gagging orders' in line with the Sussexes' history with NDAs
For an interview that was about shocking revelations, the conversation Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had with Oprah Winfrey was one that was surrounded by secrecy. As per reports, the staff working behind the scenes at the interview that aired on Sunday, March 7, was asked to sign “gagging orders”.
In the tell-all interview, Meghan spoke about many things. The most shocking details, however, pertained to racism, her suicidal thoughts -- and the royal family’s alleged refusal to help her -- and tabloids misreporting that she made Kate Middleton cry when it was allegedly the reverse.
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As per a source who spoke with The Sun, those working on the set had to sign non-disclosure agreements about the day's events. Joe Pugliese, the photographer who took pictures of the interview, told the paper that he and others involved had signed gagging orders.
"Sorry I just can't talk about it. Harpo has this watertight,” he said, talking about Harpo Productions, Winfrey's multimedia production based in West Hollywood, that put together the two-hour-long TV special.
While NDAs are commonplace in the entertainment industry to stop information leaking to an audience before the broadcast date, the Duke and Duchess have a history of using them. In June 2019, it was reported that as per a royal insider, the nanny Prince Harry and Meghan chose to care for baby Archie Harrison has had to sign “extensive” non-disclosure agreements ahead of their employment. Royal biographer Katie Nicholl claimed, “I've heard from very reliable sources that the new nanny who has been appointed by the Sussexes has had to sign quite an extensive non-disclosure agreement.”
In January last year, tabloids reported that the Sussexes allegedly asked neighbors to sign non-disclosure agreements while spending Christmas in an £11million Canadian mansion. Prince Harry and Meghan spent their first Christmas with Archie and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland in the waterfront property on Vancouver Island.
A source said that Prince Harry and Meghan's aides asked local residents to sign documents stopping them publicly talking about the couple. They said: “It seemed a concerted effort to stop homeowners from revealing their whereabouts to others.” The Sussexes spent time in Canada on a six-week break from royal duties, before returning to Britain and announcing they were quitting as senior royals.
Last year, it was reported that the Sussexes went on a double date with American former professional baseball Alex Rodriguez and pop star and actor Jennifer Lopez. When Rodriguez appeared on ‘The Tonight Show’, Jimmy Fallon asked him, “Did you and Jennifer Lopez recently go on a double date with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? If so, who paid?” Rodriguez took everyone by surprise when he said, “I signed an NDA,” and Fallon said, “So that means you did!” Rodriguez smiled but did not elaborate any further or deny the date took place. It's not clear if he was just joking about the NDA.