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Meghan: There Were Conversations About Color Of Son's Skin Prior To His Birth; World Urge To "Choose To Challenge" Gender Inequality; Melinda Gates: COVID Could Mean Setback For A Generation Of Girls; Most Damage To Qaraqosh Repaired, But Scars Remain; Prince Harry & Meghan Make Stunning Claims In New Interview; Book "Anonymous Is A Woman" Digs Up Roots Of Gender Inequality. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired March 08, 2021 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN, Abu Dhabi. This is "Connect the World" with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Well, it's eight in the morning in Los Angeles. It's four in the afternoon in London and it's eight
in the evening here in Abu Dhabi. Welcome back.
We begin with these striking allegations by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, during what was a no holds barred interview with Oprah Winfrey. They didn't
hold back painting a picture of racism, and emotional abuse throughout their courtship and marriage.
It's the first interview the two have given together since announcing they will be stepping down as Senior Royals. The couples say they wanted to
remain working members of the Monarchy, but we're not given that choice.
Prince Harry admitted he felt trapped while Meghan said at one point she felt so isolated cheat for about taking her life but perhaps the most
shocking claim of all Meghan revealing that there was concern within the family about the skin tone of their son, Archie.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MEGHAN MARKLE, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time so we have in tandem the conversation of he won't be
given security, it's not going to be given a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born?
OPRAH WINFREY, AMERICAN HOST: There is a constant thing to hold up --
MARKLE: There were several conversations --
WINFREY: There was a conversation with you --
MARKLE: With Harry.
WINFREY: -- about how dark your baby's going to be?
MARKEL: Potentially and what that would mean or look like?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the couple would not say, who voiced those concerns. But Oprah Winfrey confirmed new details on the matter this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Yes, and he did not share the identity with me. But he wanted to make sure that I knew and if I had an opportunity to share it, that it was
neither his grandmother nor his grandfather that were a part of those conversations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That it was not his grandmother and Prince Philip he said?
WINFREY: Yeah, it was not his word father. Neither his grandmother nor grandfather, were a part of those conversations. He did not tell me who
were a part of those conversations. As you can see, I tried to get that answer on camera and off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Former Press Secretary to the Queen Charles Anson says the bombshell interview has raised some issues that need to be looked at
carefully. But he insists there is not a "Strand of racism" in the Royal household Charles Anson joining me now from London.
Sir, there's been no response from the Palace yet to the allegations raised in this interview. Does that surprise you?
CHARLES ANSON, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH: No, not particularly. I think there's a great deal in the interview that needs to
be thought about very carefully. And I don't think the Palace want to rush into statements that make the atmosphere more frenetic.
I think what's required now is some reflection on the many things that Prince Harry and Duchess have said, and obviously to look at those aspects
where some more consideration should be taken to take action or to change things or adjust them. But I think to rush in with a lot of comments would
simply muddy the waters further.
So I hope that there will be a period of reflection. I think that's what I would expect from Buckingham Palace in sometimes since I worked there. And
of course, I haven't seen the full interview myself. It's being broadcast tonight in Europe. But of course I have seen clips.
ANDERSON: Yeah, those clips teased before the interview, and of course, released since the interview went out in the U.S. on Sunday. These
allegations that you suggest need to be reflected on and considered not least that of the issue of racism as we just played.
Meghan said while she was pregnant, there were tandem conversations about Archie his son not receiving a title security as well as conversations and
concerns about how dark Archie skin would be? You say there wasn't a strand of racism in the Royal household certainly when you were there? Should
these allegations be true? And would you suggest that these conversations were appropriate?
ANSON: Well, I think the first point I would make is the Queen as well as being the Head of State in the United Kingdom is also Head of the
Commonwealth, an association of 55 countries, many of them in Asia and in Africa.
[11:05:00]
ANSON: And she's been Head of the Commonwealth, since she came to the throne in 1952. So 69 years, so she's been dealing with some countries all
over the world, people of different religions, of different color of different faiths over a very long time in many fields, and is a highly
acclaimed Head of the Commonwealth.
So in that respect, I would say the root of the molecule very much in a multiracial society, in fact, I can't think of any other arrangement,
Francophone Africa, or any other alliances, which are quite as multiracial, as the Commonwealth. And it has been a large part of the Queen's work in
his reign to develop that.
And in a sense, I think she's been a pioneer of post war multicultural societies. And that's what Britain is becoming. So I think there was an
embedded racism, I think what there the United States is in, in our country, in your country, and in many other countries, are individuals who
have strong racist views, which they actively promote, and tweet and re tweet on social media.
So it gets a sense of a society that has a strong streak in it, but I suspect is less people with a rather larger an exaggerated voice. I don't
sense an embedded form of racism at all. But of course, you know all these allegations and so on needs to be looked at calmly, and reflectively.
But I think key thing is the Queen actually has been an example. And her family, Prince Charles will become Head of Commonwealth when he succeeds,
the Queen as King.
ANDERSON: Charles, Harry says they were, "Colonial undertones" in articles and headlines written about Meghan, he said he was hurt that his family
never spoke up about such but he also said he was, "Acutely aware of where his family stands, and how scared they are of tabloids, turning on them".
And Meghan meanwhile, said that the institution was willing to lie to protect others, but wouldn't be willing to tell the truth to protect her
and Harry, what do you make of that?
ANSON: Well, I think, you know, obviously, we've got to try and be fair and look dispassionately, at some of these allegations, they're serious. So
they need to be looked at carefully.
But my basic point is that I think the Monarchy is there to be an example and to encourage the society that democratic society that we live in, and
I'm not conscious of seven years, I worked with the Queen at a very difficult time in the 1990s and, of course, a lot of contact and working
relationships with other members of the royal family so sort of broad spectrum.
And I see a life of service that is devoted to helping many different groups of people across all races, religions, and so on. And so I don't --
I can't quite recognize this virtual -- so I'm not denying it.
ANDERSON: You --
ANSON: Listen to carefully.
ANDERSON: Right.
ANSON: I like to put in context.
ANDERSON: Context, yeah. You as you point out with the Queen's Press Secretary from 1990 to 97, stepping down six months before Princess Diana
were killed in a car crash after being chased by paper artsy. What in that role when Diana was endlessly targeted by the British press, Harry him
saying he was worried that history would repeat itself? I just want our viewers to have a listen to some of what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRINCE HARRY: And what I was seeing was history repeating itself, but more perhaps, or definitely, far more dangerous, because then you add racing,
and you add social media in and when I'm talking about history, opinions, I'm talking about my mother.
When you can see something happening in the same kind of way anybody would ask for help ask the system of which you are part of. Especially when you
know there's a relationship there that they could help share some truth or call the dogs off whatever you want to call it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And I was struck by Gavin Esler writing for the newspaper here in the UAE actually today "The National".
[11:10:00]
ANDERSON: He said for Prince Harry this new witch hunt against his wife must be an unimaginable repetition of the cruelty endured by his mother.
Harry also said he felt let down by his father who had gone through similar pain. Why, especially after what happened to Diana was there so little
support for this couple?
ANSON: Well, I think in the case of Diana, of course, you know, the -- was hot when time out to Prince William and Prince Harry a tragic death in
1997. But, you know, looking back further to the time that she made the panorama interview, everything was done after that interview to try to help
her with the next steps of her life when she had all the support.
There was not in any way as vindictive feeling towards her, it was more to try and be helpful and to move things forward. And I think the same really
is important at this stage now that the interviews Prince Harry and the Duchess have given is to look carefully and calmly at the issues they've
raised, and to try and be constructive about them.
And I think at the time that they decided to step back from public duties, there was no criticism often. The Queen was disappointed that they were not
going to continue their public duties here, but that's because she's close to her grandson, fond of all her grandchildren and because both Prince
Harry and the Duchess were valued members of the Royal Family are carrying out public duties across a very wide range of subjects and areas of
society.
And actually, as it happens, most particularly, they both had Commonwealth connections as well. So I think, you know, they left for California very
much with goodwill of the Queen and the Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family were given a year to work out whether that's what they
wanted to do, and we're told that they will, you know, obviously be very welcome if they chose to, to return to Britain and that remains the case.
ANDERSON: Charles Anson, joining us on the show today. Thank you, sir. Well, Meghan also spoke about her mental health during the interview. If
you know someone in need of help, there are resources available to you.
Do reach out to the International Association for Suicide Prevention or Befrienders Worldwide and you can see their website right here on your
screen. If you're in the United States, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and you can call them at 1-800-273-8255.
You're watching "Connect the World" with me, Becky Anderson. Still ahead, women paying a seat price during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Governments need to stop thinking of women as this side or nice to do issue and realized it is the central issue. It's the
infrastructure you have to build back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: On this International Women's Day, I'll have my conversation with Melinda Gates on how to keep even more women from sinking into poverty
around the world, that interviewed important and coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:15:00]
ANDERSON: I want to bring you more now on International Women's Day and to those of you were around the world. It's a good day, a good day, and I hope
you're celebrating. A day in which we highlight the achievements of women around the world, while still keeping an eye of course, towards the
challenges that we all still face.
The UN made the day official in the 1970s. But it was marked informally in countries like the U.S. and Russia decades before to draw attention to
issues like voting and labor rights. Well, this year's theme is "Choose to challenge gender inequality", a challenge that is being made only more
difficult due to the Coronavirus.
The UN estimating that COVID-19 will send some 47 million women and girls around the world into poverty, nearly 15 million women falling into poverty
and absolutely staggering number well, I had talks about that recently with Melinda Gates, who is Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
I began by asking her how exactly women are being disproportionately impacted during this COVID crisis? Have a listen to our discussion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MELINDA GATES, CO-CHAIR, BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION: What we're seeing, I mean, when you think of 47 million women that's like the entire
country of Spain falling into poverty. And so why is it women? It's because we're seeing women drop out of the labor force in droves.
And it's really because of two reasons. One is this unpaid care giving and work that they do. And the other is because they are represented quite
often in these more fragile, informal sectors. And that's where jobs are being lost and people aren't going out and getting services or going to the
restaurant or going into the hospitality industry.
And so yes, women are falling into poverty because they are literally leaving the workforce in enormous numbers.
ANDERSON: And that is clear. Correct. We are physically seeing that fallout at this point.
GATES: Yes, two thirds of the jobs lost in South Africa were lost by women. 1 million of the more jobs lost in the United States were by women versus
men. All of the jobs lost in the United States in December were women's jobs. So when women come out of the workforce, it means they're going to be
much slower to go back.
And it means we're going to have a much slower economic recovery. I mean, government after government around the world wants women to work because
they know they get a more robust economy if women work. So this is a crisis that we need to address as a world.
ANDERSON: And we are talking on a global basis, you wrote in a Bloomberg opinion piece, February the 18th, "As countries respond to the biggest
challenge of our generation, they should view women as central builders of a stronger post COVID world". What can government's then do to address the
unique challenges women are facing globally and better unlock their economic potential?
GATES: Sure. So governments need to stop thinking of women as the side, are nice to do issue and realize it is the central issue. It's the
infrastructure, you have to build back. And so we have to look at three things that governments are starting to do this, they have to look at the
care giving work that women do the unpaid care giving work that is 30 hours a week globally for women.
So that's almost a full time job. We have to address that sector, the unpaid work that's happening and the care giving. Secondly, we need to
realize that women are in these informal jobs around the world. And so we need to do things like digitize social payments to them to support them
during this time.
And third, we need to look at women's jobs and realize that women led businesses are some of the most new and fragile in the economy. And there
are things we need to do to prop up those women led businesses so they don't collapse and go away. And I'm seeing governments do that in country
after country. Look at those three areas.
ANDERSON: Where? Where are you seeing this sort of, "Enlightened policy"?
GATES: Well, we're seeing it in some countries like the U.S. is finally realizing its childcare sector is collapsing. So in the most recent
stimulus bill, they're putting $10 billion into the childcare sector.
[11:20:00]
GATES: The U.S. is finally talking about having a real, unpaid family medical leave policy which every other high income nation has. So you're
seeing it there, you're seeing it in terms of the informal sector, I'm seeing more governments digitized payment.
India got 200 million digital payments out to women. Indonesia got digital payments out. Nigeria got digital payments out. And then in the area of
women led businesses, I'm seeing countries like Burkina Faso and others on the Continent of Africa say we need to relieve women led businesses of
their water and utility fees so that they can stay open and not have that pressure.
I'm seeing countries like Canada say we're going to put our economic recovery money into women led businesses and women entrepreneurs. Those are
the kinds of things that can be done.
ANDERSON: There's been an awful lot of debate. In fact, it's an age old debate, isn't it about whether female leaders do a better job in protecting
lives and livelihoods, during the pandemic, and whether it is critical to see women in positions of leadership as we begin to rebuild societies and
help facilitate other women who are being disproportionately impacted? Let's start with the first part of that, you know. Do women leaders do a
better job and if so, how?
GATES: Well, all we've got to do is look at two countries. Look at how Germany responded to this crisis under Chancellor Angela Merkel? Look at
how New Zealand has done under Prime Minister Jacinda Arden? Those women ask the right questions.
They lead from the science and the data and thinking about everyone else. When I was on the phone with both of those women early in the pandemic and
their countries were doing well. They were thinking already of the spots they weren't doing well and how they're most vulnerable and fragile people
in their society needed to still reach services.
And so this question of do women does a better job? You could look at those two leaders. That's leadership.
ANDERSON: In economies which are being heavily impacted, and don't have these sort of, you know, traditional infrastructure to make what we are
talking about here work. What do you want to see? And what support do countries need at this point?
GATES: So they need governments from high income countries to support their health systems. And I'll give you an example of Ebola. We saw in the four
affected countries with Ebola, that the crisis in the health care system meant that women didn't go for services.
And so they were afraid to go or if the maternity clinic wasn't separated from the Ebola part of the clinic, it wasn't safe for them to go to deliver
babies. And so we saw much higher maternal mortality during that time. We saw more unplanned pregnancies because women couldn't get their
contraceptives that meant more teenagers, not going to school and having babies.
So we need to support those fragile health systems. So they stay up and running. And people can go into them when they are sick, or a family member
is sick.
ANDERSON: Sadly, the pandemic has reached havoc on education globally. As I understand it, over 800 million students now remain out of school and
millions, of course, do not have access to remote learning. In the developed world we are beginning to see plans about getting kids back into
school.
But look that is not happening all over the world. And indeed, even before the pandemic wasn't happening all over the world. Just how important are
the long term impacts from the loss of education? And how could it to your mind erode the decades of work that has been done in fighting poverty,
Melinda?
GATES: Yeah, 800 million children out of school is a tragedy because those are kids who won't go on to learn to think of new ideas. And quite often
when kids leave the school room, the last ones to come back and again, we learn this from a bola are the girls.
And so you're going to -- we're going to see a setback we could have a generation of girls who would have lifted themselves and their families out
of poverty. And it's vitally important we look at that.
One of the reasons I brought up unpaid labor earlier, is if you take one of the larger childcare providers in East Africa Codongo, they estimate that
60% of their families who no longer bring their babies in for kids and for childcare, they're relying on their adolescent daughter to take care of
those kids. And that means she then doesn't go back to school. That's a tragedy and that is something we've got to address as a world.
[11:25:00]
ANDERSON: The pandemic has hit the world at a time when we were beginning to have a grown up conversation about the impact of climate change on all
of us, wherever we live, be it where you are in the states where I am here in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, wherever our viewers are watching from.
Your husband, Bill Gates has written a new book "How to avoid climate disaster" I should note that while promoting it, he has faced some
criticism from the media about the use of private jets. But in an interview with Fox, Bill said it is completely unrealistic for the world to eliminate
emissions by 2030.
But that reaching zero net emissions by 2050, is achievable. Within the context of this interview, on International Women's Day, I just want to
discuss the message that you have from your foundation that I know goes that like the following climate change will dwarf the pandemic in terms of
event, fatalities and global impact.
Just talk me through what plans your foundation has to work with governments and business in order to fight this crisis?
GATES: Well, in terms of our foundation's role, we're really looking at climate adaptation strategies for farmers, and more than half the world's
farmers are women. And that's their primary source of income. So how do you make sure they have drought resistant seeds?
If they live on the edge of the Sahel, the Sahel desert is moving down as we know. How do you make sure they have flood resistant seeds, because the
farmers will tell you the rains are coming much more often or sometimes they're coming less often but when they come, it's an ignoramus flood all
at once?
And so they need to have seeds. And they need to be prepared for that and understand and have mechanisms for learning more about when are the rains
coming? How do we get information out there? So we're looking at all those types of adaptation strategies on the way to the world, getting to zero
emissions by 2050. Because they are the ones most impacted, which are people who are in poverty.
ANDERSON: There'll be people watching this who will say, I just don't believe that we can get to zero net emissions by 2050. That is simply not
achievable, to which you say what Melinda?
GATES: Which I would say when the world puts its mind to a problem, we can fix it. So I'll give you an example. If we go back 20 years ago to
vaccinations, it used to take 20 years from when a vaccine came out in Europe or the United States still it got to the developing world. In the
last 20 years that got collapse down to a year to 18 months.
We're in a pandemic right now. And we're seeing the difference, a year's delay in a vaccine getting to some of these countries will make. And so as
a world, we've created a vaccine in record time, we've never done that before. And guess what, we are going to collapse the time down less than a
year.
If that can be done in vaccinations I think there are lots that can be done on climate change in terms of not only making commitments, but looking at
innovations that can help us over time on climate change. There's a lot of human ingenuity out there that still can be funded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Melinda Gates, a truly remarkable woman, just one of the many that we've heard from this evening. Up next, Pope Francis makes history in
Iraq. I'll talk to live with the Archbishop of Erbil about the impact of the Pope's visit, and Iraq's future.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ANDERSON: Pope Francis back at the Vatican today after a history making trip to Iraq. The Pope had a lot to tell reporters during what was the
plane ride home? He called the trip more exhausting than others in his words a consequence of being at default. He'll also address concerns over
touring Iraq during a spiking COVID cases saying he prayed a lot a redhead in the end trusted God to look after the people.
And he revealed his next Middle East trip will be to Lebanon. Well, his final public event in Iraq the Pope offered a message of unity and peace
telling the faithful Iraq will always remain with me in my heart. Those words coming in a mass in Erbil attended by thousands of the historic trip
was full of emotion packed moments like this one the Pope releasing a dove as a symbol of peace in Mosul.
Francis sat down with the Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani. Afterwards, Iraq's top Shia Cleric calling for peace among all religions. The Pope also
met the Father of Alan Kurdi, the boy who's spotty washed up on a Turkish beach six years ago, he became a symbol of the tragedy endured by families
trying to flee the war in Syria.
Well, one of the more joyous moments happened as Francis walked into a church in Qaraqosh, the city with the largest Christian population in Iraq.
Ben Wedeman tells us that church still bears the scars, the physical scars of ISIS occupation and its parishioners cope with the emotional fallout.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): ISIS was here and here and here. Their reign of madness in the mostly Christian town
of Qaraqosh close ended more than four years ago. Services have resumed at the Church of the Makkelijk Conception, rituals conducted for centuries,
once again part of the rhythm of daily life.
Almost all the towns' inhabitants fled before the onslaught of ISIS the joy of return clouded by the shock of what was left in their homes. You can't
imagine, says -- Abdullah, it was empty, destroyed, they left nothing. In April 2017, shortly after liberation, we attended the first mass in
scorched and vandalized Cathedral.
This church has been repaired since then, but still damaged is the confidence of this ancient community that it will be able to live and
prosper in this land. Father -- worries decades of trauma have left a deepest still raw wound. The visit of Pope Francis he hopes will have a
lasting impact on hearts and minds.
Iraq is in a dark tunnel he says there are challenges caused by wars by the terrorism still present in some areas by economic problems and by the
corruption so widespread in Iraq -- two daughters gave up and left went to Sweden, the other to Australia.
The visit of Pope Francis he hopes will have a lasting impact on hearts and minds. Maybe there will be love and peace -- tells me maybe it'll soften
and melt frozen hearts. Much but not all of the damage to the town has been repaired. But many of the residents who fled ISIS never returned.
[11:35:00]
WEDEMAN (voice over): With those who stayed hoping darkness will not descend upon them yet again Ben Wedeman, CNN, Qaraqosh Northern Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, I'm joined now by the Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda. It's good to have you, sir. Thank you for joining us. Iraq's Christians
have faced 1400 years of religious persecution. In 2019, you warned that they were close to being extinct or to extinction. Fast forward, then
Tuesday, and you've just witnessed the first ever paid visit to the country. How much did this trip mean, to you and to your community?
ARCHBISHOP BASHAR WARDA, ARCHBISHOP OF ERBIL: Well, thank you. I would like to congratulate all the women around the world for their day. Yeah, this
historical visit a once in a life that you could see that Pope's with a -- to a place like Iraq, full of wounds and disputes of war and also there is
a really small community left.
But it's not surprising because Pope Francis, right from the beginning of his papacy said, yeah, I'll go to the marginalized, I'll go to people. And
he did that. He wanted to make this visit years ago, and I think now he prayed for that visit.
To us really, something uplifting for the whole people came out for Baghdad, Najaf and -- in Mosul, in Qaraqosh and Erbil. It means really,
really --
ANDERSON: Apologies and I jumped in and -- he used this trip to meet with interfaith leaders and promote religious coexistence. On Saturday, of
course, he sat down with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, the Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, who rarely appears in public, and the two delivered a powerful
message of unity.
In his statement, Al Sistani said, Christians, Iraqis, Christian Iraqis should live like all Iraqis, in security and peace. I cut you off, as you
were saying, you know, just how historic and significant you believe this trip was. And I wonder if you just want to drill down and talk about the
significance of that meeting? And what impact it might have?
WARDA: Well, the significance of that meeting, I would say, for example, for me, first is his holiness is setting a model for inter religious
dialogue. It's not a dialogue where everyone would sit around the table and wait, his I mean, his speech? No, it's a model where he will leave his
place and go to the other who is different.
And he's leaving he want to Egypt, he wants to Abu Dhabi, speaking of Islam, and then he went to Najaf. He is taking I mean, he is taking the
initiatives to go where the other is, and speak to him. That's first, second, and that in that the statement of Al Sistani offers us, not the
Iraqi Christians, but the citizen Christians, which is really what Iraq needs.
The state of citizenship I mean, not Iraqi Christians, the citizens Christians, because until now, if we don't feel that we have full
citizenship, so it's very remarkable two words. And I hope that the Iraqi politicians and those who are really concerned about this do something
about this. How we could give full citizenship to the Christians of Iraq?
And it's not about giving them rights as a Christians but giving them rights as a as a citizens of Iraq.
ANDERSON: That's fascinating sir. And I do want to discuss with you how Iraq might use the momentum of this trip, to forge a better future? Before
we have that conversation Pope Francis, denouncing extremism as a betrayal of religion and I quote him now he even at a prayer service amid the rubble
of Mosul's old city, which saw ancient places of worship destroyed, while it was controlled by ISIS, from 2014 to 2017.
I just want to just get our viewers a little of what the Pope said when he was there. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
POPE FRANCIS: Today we reaffirm our conviction that fraternity is more durable than fratricide. That hope is more powerful than hatred, that peace
more powerful than war. This conviction speaks with greater eloquence than the passing voices of hatred and violence. And it can never be silenced by
the blood spilled by those who pervert the name of God who thinks pursued paths of destruction acquainted.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:40:00]
ANDERSON: And significantly, this square where the pontiff stood was actually once surrounded by four churches used by four different religions.
Just how powerful was it to see him deliver that message of peace and fraternity from Mosul?
WARDA: Well, their presence would raise the question, where are you ISIS? Where are you the fighters who wanted to defend the rights of God, and to
implement the religion of God as they say? Where are you? There was another scene there, at that side, Christian Muslims, getting together to hope that
everyone will trust them again, and help them again to rebuild the future, again.
Just the scene being able to reach that spot it's a message; it's a message that there is no future for violence. There is no future for hatred. And we
have to start again. We have not to forget that he his holiness is the only one who was able to mobilize and to get all the people of Iraq of all
dominations and religious to be really together, happy as they were and I mean, despite all of their differences.
So being there in Mosul, in that spot where four churches were there in 2003, 5000, Christians, families were in Mosul. Also, it's a message of
saying we forgive the past. Forgiveness is there to start again. And that's a message and bridge of --
ANDERSON: Yeah, you talked about the importance of this visit beforehand, before the Pope arrived, saying you hoped it will remain in the lives and
memories of all Iraqis. Let's deal with the line remain in the lives of all Iraqis here. How does the country use the momentum of this trip to forge
real change, real change, and a more hopeful future?
WARDA: Well, today -- the Prime Minister have called for a conference for reconciliation for a dialogue, the -- to call a national dialogue. But
that's just one side and I think I mean, following on the local media, with all channels. Everyone was talking about this momentum.
We have to use this momentum for really another way another chance for national dialogue between the different groups, politics and politicians.
Yeah. So this morning, there was an announcement the -- president -- responded immediately with a positive for that and other also political
leaders came up with another positive answer.
ANDERSON: Sir, it's been a pleasure having you on. Thank you for your good wishes on International Women's Day to all of those watching around the
world. It's a pleasure and it's been really useful to hear your insight and analysis on this trip. Thank you. You're watching CNN, we will be right
back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
ANDERSON: Right, well, if social media is anything to go by everybody seems to be talking about Oprah Winfrey's interview with the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex including Oprah herself. She is clearing up some speculation about one of the most stunning claims from Harry and Meghan.
Meghan says there were several conversations within the Royal Family over how dark their son's skin would be? Harry would not reveal who had those
conversations with him. But Oprah did clarify this morning that did not?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WINFREY: Yes, and he did not share the identity with me. But he wanted to make sure that I knew and if I had an opportunity to share it, that it was
not his grandma, that mother nor his grandfather, that were a part of those conversations.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That it was not his grandmother and Prince Philip he said?
WINFREY: Yeah, it was not his grandfather. Neither his grandmother nor grandfather, were a part of those conversations. He did not tell me who
were a part of those conversations. As you can see, I tried to get that answer on camera and off.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: CNN's Royal Commentator Kate Williams, with me now. And Kate, let's start with those comments from Oprah that is, after the interview
aired in the states of course this interview hasn't even aired in the UK yet but many in the UK are responding to the clips that have been released.
Oprah says concerns of Archie's skin color were not raised by either the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II or by her husband, Prince Philip. Knowing what
you do about the inner workings of this family, and do you believe these concerns his alleged concerns were raised by a high ranking Royal family
member?
KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I think what Harry and Meghan suggested it was a high ranking family member. It was someone who actually
had an impact on their lives on the obviously the succession because someone who was in the succession because Archie is the first child of
color to be in the succession.
He is in line to the throne. He is number seven, and a little sister who been born in July we find out in the interview, she'll be number eight. So
it was really implied that this was a senior royal and therefore, as we found from Oprah, it was not the Queen, it was not the Duke of Edinburgh.
So the -- therefore is it was Charles or it was William, or it was Camilla, or it was Kate.
And I think most likely considering possibly the way that Harry was talking was it was more likely to be one of the men than one of the women. But
there's obviously no that's just speculation on my part, we don't know. And Harry said very clearly, he was never going to say he said it because it
was too much -- Meghan said it was too damaging.
So I think we will never know they are determined not to tell us who it was. But certainly I think the suggestion was that it wasn't just a
conversation isolation that perhaps this person brought it up and other people were listening or agreed. And it was something that Harry felt was
being judged -- was being discussed, which of course you find incredibly painful and racist.
The fact is that a baby's skin tone is being discussed. And as Meghan said, it was concerned about how this might look? How this might appear? I mean,
you know, this is really shocking revelations really shocking revelations of racism and when the Royal House last week was saying I will bend over
backwards about diversity that that's what they were saying to the Sunday Times. This would really suggest otherwise.
ANDERSON: One of your key moments from the interview, which has been much discussed was Meghan Markel, opening up about her own mental health issues.
Have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARKEL: But I knew that if I didn't say it, that I would do it. And I just didn't. I just didn't want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear
and real and frightening, constant thought.
[11:50:00]
MARKEL: And I remember -- I remember how he just cradled me and I was -- I went to the institution, I said that I needed to go somewhere to get help
so that I've never felt this way before, and I need to go somewhere. And I was told that I couldn't that it wouldn't be good for the institution.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: You tweeted, it is a painful and shocking parallel that not long after marrying into the Royal Family. Diana in 1984 and Meghan, in 2014,
were experiencing suicidal thoughts, and there was no help you said. Prince Harry said he was worried about history repeating itself.
I just wonder how this institution ends up in the same place again. And if indeed, that's where it is. And were no lessons learned and how can or
should the Palace move forward at this point?
WILLIAMS: Well, that's the question, isn't it, Becky? Princess Diana, she had suicidal thoughts she suffered in the Royal Family. Of course, the
reasons were different. She was very unhappy in the marriage. She didn't feel supported. Meghan wasn't unhappy in her marriage. It's very clear.
It's a very strong bond.
But it was the racist coverage that was offered the sexist coverage. Diana had a lot of sexist misogynist coverage of a bit obviously not racist. But
Meghan, the coverage of Meghan has been, as Harry said, worse than it has been for anyone, all women who are into the Royal Family are attacked,
Meghan had the worst.
And this was partly because of social media, but mostly because of race. Harry said that to open one of these recently released clips that it was
because of race largely because of race that they left. So Diana was someone who suffered greatly was isolated.
And there are a lot of parallels. And the interview obviously rocked the Royal Family. She felt blocked at the Palace no one was listening to her.
And we hear this all over again. And obviously, everyone after Diana's funeral about this never to happen again that this will be different.
And the same, you know, Prince Harry was at the funeral, poor little boy. And now he's an adult, and he's found happiness. People have been ripping
his wife to shreds just for fun all over again. And she hasn't been protected that that was what they made very clear in the interview, that
they're all these coverage, very upsetting things said.
And they were just told you really deal with it. And it didn't matter that obviously Meghan said she had heavy suicidal thoughts very severe, wants to
go to hospital and was told she couldn't do that. So that really isn't someone is an employer that has a duty of care, and they are an employer
and there is a duty of care. Where was it to this woman who was suffering?
So yes, we've ended up in the same place that we were in the 1990s. And to move forward, I think there really has to be a much more concerted effort
that there has to be questions about the job, is it fair to expect someone to marry into the Royal Family and then sacrifice their life to the Royal
Family?
That model that Harry and Meghan produced that they wanted to go by fund themselves and also support the Queen, which is what minor Royals do is
what euro Royals do that I think was the way forward but that was blocked because a lot of the coverage of Harry and Meghan that was so cool, was
beating them with a stake on taxpayers money.
And I think they felt very clearly that they earned their own money. They couldn't be attacked by saying, you know, because then you've taken our
taxpayers money and now you're doing this but we know that the coverage was racist. What other Royal women were congratulated for from touching their
baby bump to eating avocado to editing magazines.
Meghan was condemned for and it was obviously, we knew it was distressing for Harry. He talked about his mental health. We didn't know we haven't
heard how much it affected Meghan to this degree that confident -- glamorous; exciting young woman was suffering very quickly. Suicidal
thoughts.
ANDERSON: Kate Williams on the story for us. Kate, thank you. We're taking a short break back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:55:00]
ANDERSON: Well, to all the women and girls around the world, Happy International Women's Day a day where we recognize the achievements of
women and moves and gender discrimination around the world. Well, in today's parting shots, I want to tell you about a book. "Anonymous is a
woman" a global chronicle of gender inequality. It's written by the historian and women's rights advocate, Nina Ansary.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NINA ANSARY, AUTHOR, "ANONYMOUS IS A WOMAN": "Anonymous is a woman" is every woman in history past or present, who has made significant
contributions, yet they remain obscure. In 1856 American Scientist Eunice Newton Foot became the first person to discover the principal cause of
global warming.
Yet she was not permitted to read her findings solely because she was a woman. Austrian Novelist Bertha Von Suttner was the first female recipient
of the Nobel Peace Prize. There was actually Bertha Von Suttner, who convinced Alford Noble to establish his price for peace.
Bibi Khanoom Astarabadi Iranian Author of "The first declaration of women's rights" in the history of modern Iran. Sutayta Al-Mahamali, 10th century
Baghdad, one of the first female mathematicians in recorded history. Their stories represent a mere fraction of the thousands of accomplished women
who have been inadequately acknowledged in world history.
If this book contributes, even if in some small way, to giving girls and women the courage to voice their dissatisfaction with the status quo, then
it will have succeeded.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be anonymous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Choose to challenge folks that's the message this International Women's Day. Wherever you are watching in the world, it's a very good
evening from Abu Dhabi do stay safe and stay well.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
