Meghan Markle was left upset after a letter from King Charles did not address her belief that neglect led to her feeling suicidal or concerns over the launch of a bullying probe into her, it was claimed last night.
The Duchess of Sussex wrote to King Charles about the issues, as well as about unconscious bias in the Royal family after her bombshell Oprah interview, it has been claimed.
She is believed to have brought up her poor mental health while participating as a working royal, having claimed in the interview that she reached the point of feeling suicidal but was told by palace aides she was not allowed to seek professional help.
There was also said to be disappointed that the letter from Charles did not address her concerns about the bullying probe which was launched into her behaviour towards staff.
These feelings may have played a part in the Duchess’ decision to remain in California while Prince Harry attends the coronation, The Telegraph reports.
It is understood that Meghan’s letter was sent in reply to one from the King – the only senior member of the family thought to have contacted the Duchess after Meghan and Harry were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
The Duchess of Sussex described in the show how she became mentally unwell and was brought to the point of self-harm.
She told Oprah: ‘I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember, I remember how [Harry] just cradled me and I was… I went to the institution, and I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help.
‘I said that I’ve never felt this way before and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.’
According to last night’s reports, Meghan thanked the King for his words but felt that the concerns she had raised had still not been resolved.
The letters also reportedly named the individual accused of speculating about her unborn son Archie’s skin colour – a conversation Prince Harry confirmed to the host did take place.
Meghan is said to have told the then-Prince of Wales she had never intended to accuse them of being racist.
She did not use the word ‘racist’ when she was interviewed by Oprah and is understood to have told the King she had wanted to start a conversation over unconscious bias.
Meghan and Charles agreed the comment over Archie’s skin was not made with malice.
Buckingham Palace is also aware of the Sussexes’ frustration that initial correspondence about the Coronation made no reference to their children.
It is understood the couple’s invite made no reference to their children, despite Archie’s fourth birthday being on the same day as the ceremony.
Harry will instead attend the celebration on May 6 alone, while Meghan looks after Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in California.
The couple’s friend Omid Scobie confirmed Archie’s birthday ‘played a factor in the couple’s decision’ and he expected it would be a ‘fairly quick trip to the UK’ for Harry. The Duke will only attend the ceremony itself, which is likely to last a few hours.
Mr Scobie, who is a trusted contact of the Sussexes, tweeted the news of Harry’s forthcoming attendance and then added: ‘I understand that Archie’s fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple’s decision.
‘Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.’
The announcement came just over three weeks until the event, and a royal observer told MailOnline: ‘Charles will be pleased. The rest of the family will be relieved that Meghan won’t be there – it would have been particularly uncomfortable for Kate.’
Harry and Meghan had delayed their decision over whether they would fly in for the ceremony, despite the RSVP date of April 3 having passed.
A royal insider suggested that while the exchange was warm in tone, it had not eased the tension between the two sides.
Relations continued to sour after the Sussexes started a six-part Netflix docu-series and the publication of Harry’s revealing memoir, Spare.
Charles, who at the time was Prince of Wales, is said to be disappointed that Meghan and Harry felt the need to make such damaging allegations public.
He recently gave backing to a research project into the monarch’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade, having previously expressed ‘personal sorrow’.
