White House praises Harry and Meghan’s ‘courage’ for speaking out about their mental health struggle

White House press secretary Jen Psaki praised the ‘courage’ of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for their primetime sit-down with Oprah Winfrey.  

‘For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health and tell their own personal story, that takes courage and that’s certainly something the president believes,’ Psaki replied when asked if President Joe Biden had any reaction to the interview. 

Psaki also pointed out that both Meghan and Harry are private citizens. 

‘We aren’t going to provide additional commentary from here on behalf of the president or others given these are private citizens, sharing their own story and their own struggles,’ the press secretary said. 

‘And let me just reiterate that we have a strong and abiding relationship with the British people and a special partnership with the government of the United Kingdom on a range of issues and that will continue,’ she added. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about Harry and Meghan’s blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey and Monday’s press briefing 

Prince Harry (left) and Meghan Markle (right) in their sit-down with Oprah Winfrey that aired in the United States Sunday night 

Oprah Winfrey conducted the interview with Meghan and Harry, which aired on CBS Sunday night 

Prince Harry (left) sits with Dr. Jill Biden (right), who was then the second lady, at an Invictus Games event in 2014 

Now first lady Jill Biden (left) is photographed with Prince Harry (right) in September 2017 at the Invictus Games in Toronto 

Prince Harry (center) sits between current first lady Jill Biden (left) and former first lady Michelle Obama (right) at an Invictus Games event at Fort Belvoir, Virginia in 2016 

President Joe Biden (left) and first lady Jill Biden (center left) appear alongside Prince Harry (right) at the Invicus Games in Toronto in 2017 

Both the president and first lady have known Prince Harry for years and have been supportive of his Invictus Games for wounded warriors. 

Psaki didn’t get into detail but said that Biden has ‘talked about the importance of investing in a lot of these areas that they are committed in.’ 

Psaki was specifically asked about the racism that the royal couple talked about experiencing, though she addressed Meghan and Harry opening up about mental health struggles instead. 

In the interview, Markle describes having thoughts of suicide when she was pregnant with the couple’s son, Archie. 

‘I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,’ she told Winfrey. ‘And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.’   

Markle also said she tried to seek help including inpatient care, but was rebuffed by a senior royal because ‘wouldn’t be good for the institution.’ 

The Duchess of Sussex also revealed that someone in the royal orbit had a conversation with Harry about the color of Archie’s skin before he was born.  

There were ‘concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he is born,’ Markle told Winfrey. 

Winfrey was floored, uttering, ‘What?’ 

‘There are several conversations,’ Markle continued. ‘Potentially and what that would mean or look like.’ 

The Biden White House’s response was far friendlier than President Donald Trump’s assessment of Markle. 

In late September, Trump had been asked by DailyMail.com about the royal couple’s unprecedented decision to weigh into the U.S. election, interpreted by many as an endorsement of his rival, Biden.  

‘I’m not a fan of hers,’ he said of Markle. 

‘I would say this – and she has probably has heard that – I wish a lot of luck to Harry because he’s going to need it,’ Trump said.