More than 17 million Americans watched Oprah Winfrey's televised bombshell interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, according to preliminary data.
Sunday's two-hour interview was the first given by the couple since they stepped back from the British royal family a year ago.
The interview, which was filmed in the garden of the couple's friend in California, included many shocking revelations. Meghan spoke of feeling suicidal, and accused the royal family of racism, while Harry said his father, Prince Charles, had let him down.
The preliminary audience figures, cited by Variety on Monday, are expected to rise when CBS releases the final viewing figures later in the week. Those kind of audience numbers are usually reserved for large-scale sporting events in the US, and livestreams such as the Oscars, which saw 23.6 million tune in to the live telecast in 2020, making it one of the biggest celebrity events on US television.
The interview was shown on ITV in the UK on Monday evening, however viewing figures for that broadcast are yet to be released.
Meghan and Harry's tell-all interview with Winfrey dominated the conversation on social media, morning television shows and newspaper front pages on Monday in Britain and around the world.
During the interview, both Meghan and Harry revealed there had been concerns from members of the royal family about how dark Archie's skin would be, before he was born. However, neither would reveal who those conversations were with.
"I think that it would be very damaging to them," Meghan answered. "That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him."
Later in the shocking interview, Prince Harry also refused to reveal who had enquired about the race of his future children.
"That conversation, I am never going to share," Harry told Winfrey.
"At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked," he said. The conversation took place "right at the beginning" of his relationship with Meghan, he said.
On Monday, Winfrey clarified that it was not the Queen or Prince Philip who had asked those questions.
Speaking to CBS, Winfrey said: "Harry wanted to make sure that I knew and if I had an opportunity to share it that it was not his grandmother nor his grandfather who were a part of those conversations."
- Additional reporting by Reuters
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first public appearance together watching the wheelchair tennis at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, September 2017. Getty Images -
Britain's Prince Harry with Meghan Markle announcing their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017. At the time, it was also announced that they would live at Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace following their marriage. AFP -
The couple made their first official public engagement together in Nottingham on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images -
Markle joined her fiancee and his family for a traditional royal Christmas in 2017, seen here after the church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. AFP -
To begin their 2018 engagements, the couple visited Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton on January 9 in London, England. Getty Images -
Ahead of their wedding, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited all of the countries in Great Britain. Seen here arriving at visit Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales. Getty Images -
Markle took to the crowds at the walkabout events warmly. Getty Images -
At early events, such as this visit to a street dance class during their visit to Star Hub community and leisure centre in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff, the couple were extremely animated. AFP -
Meghan Markle's fashion choices made headlines, a favourite was the chic suit she wore for the Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony at Goldsmiths Hall on February 1, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Following a January visit to Wales, they visited Scotland in February 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Pony Major Mark Wilkinson and regimental mascot Cruachan IV during a walkabout on the esplanade at Edinburgh Castle. PA -
During the visit, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended a reception for young people in the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AFP -
The 'Fab Four' as they were known: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge during the first Royal Foundation Forum in central London. PA -
Meghan Markle meets local school children during a walkabout with Britain's Prince Harry during a visit to Birmingham in March 2018. Reuters -
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London on March 12, 2018. PA -
Ahead of their wedding, the official commemorative china range was unveiled. PA -
In March, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Northern Ireland. Getty Images -
With the extended royal family at the The Queen's Birthday Party, at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The event was a star-studded concert to celebrate her 92nd birthday on April 21, 2018. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arrive at Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust's Cliveden Estate to spend the night before her wedding to Prince Harry on May 18, 2018 in Berkshire, England. Getty Images -
Ahead of their wedding, Markle's father, Thomas Markle, spoke regularly to US press and fell ill, so was unable to attend the wedding and walk her down the aisle. However, she arrived for her nuptials with mother, Doria Ragland. AFP -
Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images -
Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex wave as they leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images -
Following their wedding and honeymoon, which was speculated to be in Namibia, Rwanda or Botswana, they were back to royal life at the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour' on Horseguards parade in London on June 9, 2018. AFP -
The newlyweds appeared on the balcony with the extended royal family. Wenn -
Queen Elizabeth II laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during her first solo engagement, a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England. Getty Images -
The couple made a string of appearances following their wedding, including to the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 19, 2018. AFP -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan arrives with her mother Doria Ragland and Prince Harry to host an event to mark the launch of a cookbook with recipes from a group of women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire at Kensington Palace on September 20, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Ahead of Prince Charles's 70th birthday, Clarence House released this family photo, with Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Duchess of Sussex. Clarence House via Getty Images -
After announcing their pregnancy, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embarked on a 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Getty Images -
The tour began in Sydney, Australia where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched competitors taking part in a sailing event at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney harbour. PA -
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua on October 31, 2018. AFP -
Back in London, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey on November 11, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Their second Christmas as a four: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018. Getty Images -
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leave after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, in London, Britain March 11, 2019. This was one of the duchess's final engagements before taking maternity leave. Reuters -
On May 8, 2019, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, introduce newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The baby boy was born on May 6, 2019. Getty Images -
The couple held a private christening in July 2019, but released official photographs with their son. Reuters -
This official christening photograph released by the Duke and Duchess shows Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex with their son, Archie and family members ,the Duchess of Cornwall, Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Ms Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, near London, Britain July 6, 2019. Reuters -
On the first day of their official tour 10-day tour of South Africa, the couple visited Cape Town's Nyanga township, and people from the Justice Desk initiative. Reuters -
While in Cape Town, they visited Auwal Mosque, the first and oldest mosque in South Africa, in the Bo Kaap district of Cape Town, South Africa, September 24, 2019. During their time in South Africa, the duchess described adjusting to royal life as 'a struggle'. Reuters -
The couple have kept Archie out of the public eye but he did accompany them on their royal tour of South Africa, where he attended a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images -
Prince Harry with son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, in Canada in late 2019. It had been expected that the couple would move to the North American country after leaving the British royal family, however they are now living in Los Angeles. Instagram / Sussex Royal -
The couple chose to spend Christmas 2019 away from the royal family in Canada, but returned to London and visited visit to Canada House in thanks for the warm Canadian hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada, on January 7. The following day, the couple announced their intention to step back as senior members of the royal family and split their time between the UK and North America. Getty Images -
In March, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returned to London for their final string of public events. Seen here leaving the The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5. Wireimages -
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive to attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain March 7, 2020. Reuters -
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, made their final public appearance as royals at the 2020 Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images
