Idris Elba defends Meghan and Harry's interview with Oprah: 'You can't take someone's voice away'

• Idris Elba gave his response to Meghan and Harry's tell-all interview.
• Elba said everyone should be able to "speak up about what they feel."
• "You cannot take someone's voice away, that's what we have to communicate," he continued.

Idris Elba has defended Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's decision to take part in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying everyone should have the opportunity to "speak up" about how they feel.

Meghan and Harry's explosive interview with Oprah, which aired in the US on March 7, made headlines across the world after the couple revealed intimate details about their exit from royal life.

When asked about his reaction to the interview by Entertainment Tonight, Elba, who attended Meghan and Harry's wedding in 2018, and is believed to be close friends with the couple, said: "I will say that everyone has to have their opportunity to speak up about what they feel, you cannot take someone's voice away, that's what we have to communicate."

Idris Elba is the latest high-profile celebrity to speak out in defense of Meghan and Harry. Earlier this month, Beyonce posted a message on her website, which read: "Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership. We are all strengthened and inspired by you."

And shortly after the interview with Oprah aired, Serena Williams posted a tribute to the couple on Instagram. In the caption, she said: "I am so proud of you for being so brave. I know it is never easy. You are strong - both you and Harry."

During the Oprah interview, among several other revelations, Meghan said that she experienced suicidal thoughts during her time as a working royal and claimed that she was denied support from the senior members of the royal institution.

Meghan also revealed that an unnamed member of the royal family had several conversations with Prince Harry while she was pregnant where they voiced concerns about how dark their child's skin might be. Prince Harry later clarified that the unnamed person was not the Queen or Prince Philip.

In response, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen that said the royal family was "saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan."

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately," the statement continued.

-Omid Scobie (@scobie) March 9, 2021