Gayle King’s bombshell comments in defence of Meghan Markle

Gayle King has emerged as one of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s staunchest defenders (Image: Getty)

Gayle King has emerged as one of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s staunch defenders over the years, using her platform to back the couple amid their controversies and strained relationship with the royal family.

The CBS Mornings anchor has spoken candidly about the Sussexes, offering unwavering support during some of their most challenging moments.

King’s friendship with Meghan became public in February 2019, when she attended the Duchess of Sussex’s private baby shower in New York City. “[She’s] a really, really sweet person,” King said on CBS This Morning at the time. “It was a very, very small private affair and just a very special time for her.”

Meghan gave birth to the couple’s first child, Archie, three months later in May, followed by their daughter, Lilibet, in June 2021.

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back from their royal roles, aiming to split their time between the UK and the US and become financially independent.

The pair later revealed the extent of their struggles in their bombshell March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The CBS Mornings anchor has spoken candidly about the Sussexes (Image: Getty)

Meghan opened up about her mental health struggles, admitting she experienced suicidal thoughts during her first pregnancy. “I realized that it was all happening just because I was breathing. I was really ashamed to say it at the time and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry, especially, because I know how much loss he’s suffered,” Meghan explained.

“But I knew that if I didn’t say it, that I would do it. I just didn’t want to be alive anymore.”

Meghan also alleged that members of the royal family raised “concerns and conversations” about “how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born.” Following the explosive interview, the 68-Year-Old Journalist and Emmy nominee defended Meghan on CBS This Morning. “Meghan has documents to back up everything that she said,” she asserted in March 2021.

The media icon later commented on the state of Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family after Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. “There have been efforts on both sides to sort of make this right,” she told Extra.

“It remains to be seen whether the efforts will pay off. Are they going to be drawn closer together or are they going to be drawn apart? I have no idea. I have no inside information on that, but I will tell you this: It was good to see Harry standing with his family.”

Meghan opened up about her mental health struggles, admitting she experienced suicidal thoughts (Image: Getty)

As the couple prepared to release their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan in December 2022, Gayle once again backed Meghan. “It’s not a reality show. It’s not,” she said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, expressing excitement for the six-part series.

In May 2023, after reports of a two-hour car chase involving Harry, Meghan, and her mother, Doria Ragland, Gayle voiced her concerns. “I think it was a very unfortunate incident,” she told Page Six.

“It’s troubling to me that anybody would try to downplay what that would mean to them. That’s very troubling to me.” She added, “I’m just really sorry it happened and very sorry they had to go through it. Everybody can have all of their opinions, but I always go back to, ‘How did they feel in that moment?’”

The veteran broadcaster has consistently supported the Sussexes’ decisions, including Meghan’s absence from King Charles III’s coronation in April 2023. “I think Meghan and Harry should do what’s best for them,” she told Us Weekly. “Clearly they know what’s going on in their family life. They know what’s going on over there.”