Jeremy Paxman’s warning to Meghan Markle about joining Royal Family: ‘You don’t want to’
JEREMY PAXMAN warned Meghan Markle about joining the Royal Family, saying in a throwback interview four years ago: "You don't want to".
Meghan Markle 'wanting to get into politics' says Eborn
The veteran broadcaster, 71, was back on TV last night for another series of ‘University Challenge’ on BBC2. The second round of the quiz competition continued as two more teams of university students battled it out in a bid to grab a quarter-finals spot. Mr Paxman is well-known for his robust interrogations of politicians and other public figures. The journalist was at the helm of the BBC’s current affairs programme ‘Newsnight’ for 25 years.
As well as firing tough questions at politicians, Mr Paxman has also been critical of members of the Royal Family.
He previously appeared to warn Meghan Markle about marrying into The Firm ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry.
The journalist spoke for the documentary, ‘The Royal Wives of Windsor’ on Netflix, released in May 2018, before Meghan and Harry tied the knot.
He said: “Every girl dreams of being a princess and actually I don’t think you want to become a princess if you can avoid it.”
Other commentators also provided their opinions about how Meghan would slot into the Royal Family.
JUST IN: Royal Family LIVE: Forget Team Sussex! Harry 'disappears from view' – Meghan takes control
Speaking about the family, royal biographer Penny Junor said: “They’re quite strong characters, they're quite opinionated and they're quite outspoken.”
Historian Kate Williams added: “Meghan is marrying into a very strange institution.
“It's one that she hasn't seen at close quarters all her life because she is American.”
In the past, Mr Paxman has expressed confidence that Prince Charles will not “inflict” his views on the public once he is king.
The journalist’s comments about the Prince of Wales came at an event at the Buxton International Festival in Derbyshire in 2017.
Mr Paxman told a crowd he was a monarchist because it is “better than any alternatives”.
He said: “We’d have ended up with a President [Tony] Blair or something awful like that.
“I have had to come out as a monarchist now because I am one.”
He added: “People say to me, ‘But what about Prince Charles?’
DON'T MISS:
Princess Diana’s sly dig at royal life in Kensington Palace: ‘Curtains twitching’ [LATEST]
Freddie Mercury's 'eccentric' night out with Princess Diana: 'Full mischief mode' [INSIGHT]
Princess Eugenie barred from new royal title upon marriage due to strange royal protocol [ANALYSIS]
“My answer is it’s going to be a big problem when we get Prince Charles – if he behaves as Prince Charles.
“But I don’t think he will – the role is different. We shan’t have his view on talking to trees or whatever inflicted upon us when he’s monarch, but when he’s the Prince of Wales he can do what he likes.”
Charles has sparked major criticism in the past for appearing to lobby politicians on the environment, as well as for showing his support for controversial causes, such as his endorsement of homeopathy.
Charles denied that he will be a “meddling monarch” when he was interviewed for the BBC documentary ‘Prince, Son & Heir: Charles at 70’ in 2018.
The Prince of Wales said he wasn’t “that stupid” to continue acting the way he does in his current role once he becomes King.
‘University Challenge’ is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.