Was Meghan Markle's 'helplessness' in Oprah interview influenced by royal kidnapping training?

When Meghan Markle sat down for her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, the world tuned in to hear her perspective on life as a member of the British Royal Family.

However, a royal expert has recently suggested that Meghan's emotional delivery may have been more calculated than it appeared, possibly influenced by Special Air Service (SAS) training designed to prepare senior royals for high-risk situations like kidnappings and hostage situations.

Did SAS training influence Meghan's performance?

Robert Lacey, author of Battle of the Brothers, raised the possibility that Meghan's seemingly vulnerable and helpless presentation during the interview could have been a learned skill from her reported SAS training.

According to Lacey, Meghan's tone throughout the interview mirrored that of someone skillfully playing the victim, suggesting she may have developed such techniques during her preparation sessions with the SAS.

As part of this high-security training, Meghan was allegedly taught how to respond to scenarios like kidnappings and how to establish a psychological advantage over potential captors.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, in their book Finding Freedom, claimed Meghan's training included a mock kidnapping described as "extremely intense and scary." One source even stated, "She was grateful to have gone through it."

Lacey speculates that Meghan's ability to convey her distress during the Oprah interview could be linked to those days of training.

"Meghan would certainly offer a brilliant impression of a hostage begging for liberation on primetime television," Lacey wrote, suggesting her polished display of distress was reminiscent of training intended to win sympathy and cooperation.

A life of restriction and racism

During the widely-watched interview, Meghan painted a grim picture of her time within the royal household, describing it as restrictive and devoid of the she desperately needed.

She spoke of being isolated, with her port, driver's license, keys, and other personal belongings surrendered to the institution. "I left the house twice in four months," she told Oprah, adding, "I couldn't feel lonelier."

One of the most shocking claims from the interview was Meghan's accusation of racism within the Royal Family, revealing that someone had expressed concerns over "how dark" her son Archie's skin might be.

Additionally, Meghan claimed that her mental health deteriorated to the point of having suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy. "I just didn't want to be alive anymore," she tearfully itted.

Divisive reactions and lingering controversy

The interview's aftermath was equally explosive. Buckingham Palace went into crisis mode, releasing a statement acknowledging the seriousness of Meghan's allegations but asserting, "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

While Meghan and Prince Harry received a wave of from fans worldwide, particularly in the United States and Commonwealth nations like Canada and Australia, the British public and press were far more critical.

Meghan's popularity ratings plummeted, and accusations of exaggeration and manipulation were rampant.

Lacey's claim that Meghan may have applied SAS training techniques during her interview adds another layer to an already complex and divisive story.

Whether or not Meghan intentionally used learned skills to amplify her distress, her revelations during the Oprah interview remain one of the most significant moments in recent royal history.