Meghan Markle has dropped a bombshell in her tell-all interview with Oprah, claiming the royals were concerned about the possible dark skin colour of her unborn first child. And she and Harry have revealed they are having a baby girl.

We are covering the interview and the reaction to it live as it unfolds in the US from 2pm Monday (NZT). Viewers in New Zealand will be able to watch it tomorrow at 7.30pm on Three.

On the birth of her first child, Archie, Meghan says there were palace "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."

"I was very scared of having to offer up my baby, knowing they weren't going to be kept safe," says Meghan, who appears emotional as she speaks about her son's treatment by the royal family.

Oprah was momentarily speechless. "What? What? Who is having that conversation with you?"

Meghan says she won't reveal who had the conversation: "I think that would be very damaging to them. That was relayed to me, that was Harry's conversations with family." Meghan says it's safe to assume the concern among some royals was her mixed race child could be "too dark."

She also revealed she and Harry married in secret three days before the ceremony seen by the world.

And she gave an insight into her relationship with her sister-in-law, Kate. Roughly seven months after her wedding to Prince Harry, a story began circulating in the press that Meghan had made Kate cry before the big day.

"The narrative with Kate, which didn't happen, was really difficult," Meghan told Oprah.

"The reverse happened. A few days before the wedding she was upset about something. It made me cry and it really hurt my feelings."

Meghan said Kate apologised and sent her flowers.

• CBS presents Oprah with Meghan and Harry will broadcast Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30pm on Three.

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