05 April 2023 , 11:18
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sent shockwaves around the world back in 2019 with their South African interview - and it left the TV crew reeling.
Behind-the-scenes documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey followed the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Sussex and then-baby Archie on their 10-day Royal Tour of Africa.
In an incredibly emotional moment in a one-to-one chat with ITV's Tom Bradby, Meghan revealed she was "not OK" while discussing the pressures of her new role as a royal mum.
Former ITN editorial director Chris Shaw has reflected on the broadcaster's headline-grabbing 2019 interview with the Duchess of Sussex, saying the "little conversation in South Africa" seemed "so outlandishly unexpected and shocking".
Meghan Markle was interviewed by ITV's Tom Bradby during the Africa royal tour (Harry & Meghan: An African Journey)Mr Shaw, who announced his departure from the company in January after 25 years, also said there is a "contradiction" between the Sussexes' desire for privacy and their willingness to speak about their private lives.
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Speaking to Deadline, Mr Shaw was asked whether the team behind the programme instantly knew the footage was "explosive".
He said: "That little conversation in South Africa seemed so outlandishly unexpected and shocking ... we knew we had something pretty extraordinary."
ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey followed the newlyweds' tour of part of the continent and laid bare Meghan's unhappiness.
The duchess became emotional in front of broadcaster Bradby as she described her past year as a member of the royal family as "hard" and "really challenging".
Meghan was asked about the "true pressures of life in the spotlight and the toll it has taken on them both".
Tom Bradby and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in South Africa (ITV)She replied: "Look, any woman especially when they are pregnant you’re really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a newborn – you know.
"And especially as a woman, it’s a lot. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed it’s, well…"
Meghan then thanked Tom for checking on how she was doing during a tough time.
She added: "And, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m OK. But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes."
Following up on her answer, Tom asked: "And the answer is, would it be fair to say, not really OK, as in it’s really been a struggle?"
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Meghan paused before replying simply: "Yes".
The couple have since stepped back from royal duties, moved to the US and released an explosive Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, while the duke has published a similarly headline-grabbing memoir, titled Spare.
Meghan and Harry have been invited to the Coronation (AFP via Getty Images)Mr Shaw added: "I feel a bit sorry for them because I think they're in the eye of the most appalling storm and they didn't mean to go there."
Harry last month made a surprise return to the UK for the first time since the late Queen's funeral, for a High Court hearing in London.
It is not yet known whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be back in May for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The couple have been invited to be part of the congregation at Westminster Abbey but are yet to publicly reveal a decision.
It has been reported that their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have not been invited to be part of the ceremony.
Awkwardly, the date of the Coronation, May 6, falls on Archie's fourth birthday.