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John Oliver predicted Meghan Markle's future challenges with the Royal Family back in 2018

Molly Jong-Fast/Twitter

John Oliver is known for his biting political commentary and smart comedy, but some of his best takes have emerged in casual conversation.

In February of 2018, Oliver joined Stephen Colbert on The Late Show and discussed the pending nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who were married a few months later. When asked if he was excited about the wedding, Oliver gave a candid response that turned out to be remarkably prescient.

First, he said that he was not, in fact, excited about the wedding. Surprised, Colbert pointed out that Harry was marrying an American and Oliver had married an American, and asked if he had any advice for Harry. Instead, Oliver spoke of his sympathy for Meghan Markle.

"I would not blame her if she pulled out of this at the last minute," he said. "I don't think you need to have just seen the pilot episode of 'The Crown' to get a basic sense she might be marrying into a family that could cause her some emotional complications."

Colbert said, "But this generation seems like nice people, right? They're all nice now, right?"

"Yyyyyeah," Oliver responded. "I mean, they're an emotionally stunted group of fundamentally flawed people doing a silly pseudo-job. That's what she's marrying into. So I hope she likes it. It's going to be weird for her."

"I would not marry into the Royal Family," he added. "I'm a commoner, I would not be welcome—especially after what I've just said," he laughed.

Colbert and Oliver chatted joked about how Oliver's potential knighthood was now off the table, then Oliver shared his thoughts on the displays of reverence people show to the crown.

"It's just weird to kneel in front of another adult. It's odd. I know that historically you read and you see people kneeling down and kissing the ring, but it's a bit strange. It's an odd thing to still have."

Oliver's statements echo what many people feel about the monarchy—that it's an archaic institution that has outlived whatever relevance and usefulness it may have once had. Then again, the royal tradition is a powerful force in the U.K. and Queen Elizabeth is genuinely beloved—even by Harry and Meghan who are making headlines for sharing the issues they've had with the Royal Family as an institution (in addition to specific members they refused to name). Some love the pomp and the pagaentry and are willing to turn a blind eye to the problematic history that goes along with it.

It will be interesting to see what changes if and when Charles—who does not carry the "beloved" mantle of his mother—ascends to the throne. Will people lose some of the love and respect they have for the crown now? Will generations who have only known Queen Elizabeth as monarch view the entire institution differently in her absence? Naturally, the changing of a monarch has always been a transition, but society has changed a lot since 1953, when Elizabeth became queen. People may not be as forgiving of the faults of the Royal Family without its sweet, stalwart matriarch at the helm.

Since John Oliver nailed the Meghan Markle situation so accurately, perhaps his view of the monarchy will also be seen as a self-evident truth someday. Guess we'll see.

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Meghan Markle's feminist wedding quietly displayed a ton of black girl magic.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's glorious wedding was one for the history books.

Photo by Brian Lawless-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

In a display of fairy tale magic, the duke and duchess of Sussex said their vows in front of millions of viewers around the world. It. Was. Beautiful.  

Photo by Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Photo by Danny Lawson-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Photo by Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Roughly 18 million people in the U.K. tuned into the event, and it's safe to say Americans were pretty enamored with the stunning affair as well.  

The road up to the wedding was no easy feat. Fighting unethical press, sexism, and racism, Harry and Markle held strong together. Thankfully, they made it to their happy ending.

Aside from the dashing uniforms, stunning gowns, and oh-so-adorable kiddos, the wedding was an incredible display of revolutionary love. Here are five ways the new couple made their love as radical as can be:    

1. They are one of the first publicly recognized interracial couples in the British monarchy.

Harry and Markle are not the first interracial couple in British monarchy history. Due to the monarchy's fickleness with showing blackness in paintings (such as black features, hair textures, etc.), it's unclear who actually holds that title. But, it's likely to go back to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz of the 18th century, a mixed-race woman who married King George III. With about seven generations between Charlotte and Markle, the visibility is long overdue.

Photo by Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

2. Markle was "accompanied" down the aisle not "given away."

A self-proclaimed feminist, Markle made it clear from her earliest days with Harry that she would not be one to follow tradition if it didn't align with her values.This became evident through details like the style of the wedding to the choice of the cake maker and in other traditions, like Markle's walk down the aisle.  

In most Western weddings, a bride's father walks her down the aisle to "give her away" to her husband, steeped in a tradition of treating women like property that can be transferred. Markle, whose father was unable to attend the wedding, chose to walk the first part of the aisle alone and then was joined by Prince Charles for the remainder. Most important was the language used around this aspect of the ceremony: Markle was "accompanied" down the aisle.

Photo by Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Given the U.K.'s staunch traditionalism, Markle's prominent decision was an important display of autonomy and a woman's ability to make her own choices even in a committed marriage. It also serves as a beautiful reminder that traditions can be honored and altered to reflect a progressive marriage that allows both individuals to own their choices.

3. The sermon was a legendary display of black ministry and love.  

Bishop Michael Curry, the first black presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church, brought down the house with a powerful sermon called "The Power of Love," citing love's redemptive and powerful capabilities. Speaking of Gilead, slavery, and the importance of mutual respect in loving relationships, Curry's sermon was one of the most moving portions of the ceremony. Discussing the complexity of humanity and love's role in moving it forward, Curry proclaimed, "Love is the only way. There's power in love. Don't underestimate it. Don't even over-sentimentalize it. There's power, power in love."

Photo by Owen Humphreys-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Markle, who was key in the decision to break from tradition and involve an  American bishop in the ceremony, was visibly moved by the speech. Given Britain's horrific role in slavery and colonization, Curry's sermon was a reminder that redemption is possible only when we allow love to lead and guide us in our lives.

4. The couple's actions and mannerisms spoke volumes about their affection for one another.  

Of course, no one knows the ins and outs of Markle and Harry's relationship except them, but if the wedding was any indication, these two remind us that love can be so, so real. Endless research points to how body language often offers insights into a couple's relationship. From simple gestures such as Harry rubbing Markle's thumb during the ceremony to his loving words once she reached the alter, the two shared interactions that looked like they were pulled straight out of a fairy tale.  

In times when love is often mocked or deemed impossible, their public display of affection were subtle reminders that there is magic and love and vulnerability, and it still totally exists.

5. Markle's black roots radiated through the church.  

In spite of a media that seemed to both question and criticize Markle's blackness, she incorporated her culture in some of the most beautiful ways. In addition to Curry's sermon,the Kingdom Choir, led by Karen Gibson, sang a stunning rendition of "Stand By Me" for the ceremony. Sheku Kanneh-Mason, a cellist handpicked by the royal couple moved the crowd with his renditions of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria," Gabriel Fauré's "Après un rêve," and Maria Theresia von Paradis' "Sicilienne."  

Markle's effortless incorporation of her culture showed the world how proud she is of her roots, and it's a sign that her blackness will be centered in her public role in the U.K.

From endless fairy tale photographs to smiling faces around the room, Harry and Markle's wedding ceremony provided some much needed joy in a complicated world. Hopefully, it's just the beginning.

Family

Kate Middleton continues the royal family's mental health focus with a new program.

If anyone grasps the importance of mental health, it's the royal family.

Princes Harry and William, as well as Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, have made it their mission to bring the critical issue to the public's attention.

In 2016, they teamed up with mental health charity Heads Together and released a public service announcement about why it's so important to discuss mental health. Since then, they've made a number of public appearances in support of the cause. Harry opened up about his own mental health struggles, and the brothers filmed themselves talking about what it was like losing their mother at such a young age. They even got together with Lady Gaga to help raise awareness.

Flanked by Princes William (left) and Harry, Middleton helped launch the Heads Together campaign on April 21, 2016. Photo by Nicky J. Sims/Getty Images for Royal Foundation.

Middleton decided to start 2018 with a fresh new program aimed at bringing the conversation to those who need it most: kids.

Speaking at Roe Green Junior School in North London, Middleton announced the launch of Mentally Healthy Schools, a new Heads Together program aimed at creating mental health resources for children and teachers alike.

"What we have seen firsthand is that the simple act of having a conversation about mental health — that initial breaking of the silence — can make a real difference," she said. "My own commitment is to the youngest and most vulnerable in their early years — babies, toddlers, and school-children — and to support all those who care for them."

Middleton meets with children at Roe Green Junior School. Photo by Jonathan BradyAFP/Getty Images.

The program's goal is to bring these resources to every school in the U.K. without making unreasonable demands of teachers.

Teachers have a lot of work to do, and too often, they get more piled on without much thought as to how they'll actually get it done. Middleton cautioned against this in her speech, noting that the program will be aimed at helping teachers know where they can turn to when one of their students needs help, not necessarily having to be the experts themselves.

"You need resources you can trust, and you need to have easy access to them at all times," she told her audience. "The ultimate goal is that all teachers in the country should know where to turn for expert resources to support the emotional well-being and mental health of children in their care."

Middleton discusses the new program. Photo by Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images.

You don't have to be royalty to start a conversation in your community about mental health.

Mental health stigma is very real and often discourages people from seeking the help they need, making their problems worse in the long run. The most important thing any of us can do as individuals is to fight back against the notion that people who seek help for their mental health are somehow weak or defective. The National Association on Mental Illness put together a brilliant list of nine things we can all do to facilitate conversations about mental health and fight stigma.

You can watch Middleton's announcement below.

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William and Harry share never-before-seen vintage pics of Princess Diana.

Reflecting golden hues reminiscent of a different time, newly released vintage photos of Princess Diana have sparked feelings of nostalgia and bittersweet smiles across the globe.

The previously private pics, just shared by Princes William and Harry, show the unbreakable everlasting bond between a mother and her children.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry. Photo via the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry/Getty Images Publicity.

The royal family shared the photos ahead of a new documentary honoring the princess, "Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy," which will air on ITV in the U.K. and HBO in the U.S. to acknowledge the 20-year mark of her passing.

The princess died tragically in a car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997.

“Our mother was a total kid, through and through," Harry reminisced in a heartfelt clip promoting the film.

"Everybody says to me, ‘so she was fun, give us an example,’" he continued. "All I can hear is her laugh in my head — that sort of crazy laugh, where there was just pure happiness shown on her face.”

Princess Diana, pregnant with Prince Harry, holds Prince William. Photo via the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry/Getty Images Publicity.

“One of her mottos to me was, ‘You can be as naughty as you want — just don’t get caught,'" Harry said in the video. "She was one of the naughtiest parents."

More recently, William and Harry have opened up about how they coped after their mother's shocking, untimely death.

“I always thought to myself, 'what’s the point of bringing up the past?'” Harry had said in a video posted to the royal family's Facebook page in April. “It’s very easy to run away from it, to walk away from it, and avoid it the whole time," William sympathized, Princess Kate at his side.

As the pair have learned more recently, pushing those feelings down and not talking about them is far less helpful and healthy than talking about the past with loved ones or mental health professionals.

Princes William (above) and Harry (below) on a picnic bench. Photo via the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry/Getty Images Publicity.

William and Harry, alongside Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, have made mental health a key issue in the royal family's public platform.

Heads Together, a stigma-busting campaign encouraging Brits to speak up and access help when it comes to their own mental well-being, was the official charity partner of the 2017 London Marathon.

For William, who has two small children, an important component in addressing his own mental health is sharing stories about his mother and keeping her legacy alive.

“I do regularly, putting George and Charlotte to bed, talk about [Diana] and try and remind them that there were two grandmothers in their lives," William explained.

Whether children are dealing with the immediate aftermath of a loved one's death or learning about ancestors and relatives who passed before they were born through family photos and stories, there are ways to help make that potentially difficult process a healthy and helpful one.

"It’s important that [George and Charlotte] know who she was and that she existed," William noted.

Watch a promotional clip of  "Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy" below:

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