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The racial issues raised by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with Oprah Winfrey are “concerning” and “taken very seriously,” Buckingham Palace said.
In a statement, the Palace said “memories may vary” but questions will be dealt with in private.
Meghan told Oprah that Harry had been asked by an anonymous family member “how dark the skin of their son Archie can be.
The palace said the Sussexes will “always be much loved family members”.
Buckingham Palace’s response came after crisis meetings involving members of the royal family.
The palace had come under increasing pressure to respond to the interview in which Meghan – the first mixed-race member of the modern royal family – said questions were asked about their son’s skin color.
Prince Harry later clarified to Oprah that the comments were not made by either the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.
In other developments, Piers Morgan left ITV’s Good Morning Britain after an argument over comments he made about the Duchess of Sussex.
The Palace statement, which came a day and a half after the interview was first broadcast in the United States, said: ‘The whole family is saddened to learn how difficult the past few years have been for Harry and Meghan. .
“The questions raised, in particular that of race, are worrying. While some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be discussed by the family in private.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
It is understood that the Royal Family wanted to carefully consider his response and give the UK public the opportunity to watch the interview first when it airs on Monday evening.
The royals are said to see it as a family affair and believe they should be given the opportunity to discuss the issues in private.
‘A conciliatory tone with a slight challenge’
Although likely, it was never absolutely certain that the Queen would issue a statement following the interview given by her grandson and his wife.
The risk was that any answer would add to the ‘Royals in Crisis’ tale unfolding on the front pages and on TV screens around the world.
But after having had time to discuss Harry and Meghan’s claims, four short sentences convey the message from the palace that this is a private family matter and that the specific allegations will not be addressed publicly.
The tone is conciliatory, in reference to the Sussexes as much loved family members. There is a slight challenge in the line “as some memories may vary”, but also an assurance that the concerns will be taken seriously.
And we can be sure that – at least as far as the UK-based royal family is concerned – all bridge building will be done in private.
On an earlier visit to London, Prince Charles did not respond when asked if he had seen the interview, in which the Sussexes broached deeply personal topics such as racism, mental health , the media and other members of the royal family.
Monday night’s UK show was watched by 11.1 million people on average.
In it, the Duchess said there had been times when she ‘didn’t want to be alive anymore’ because she found royal life so difficult. She said she asked the palace for help but received none.
Meghan said conversations about Archie’s dark skin when he was born had taken place ‘in tandem’ with discussions about why he would not receive a royal title and police protection.
Under rules in place since 1917, the couple’s children would not automatically become princes or princesses – unless the Queen intervenes.
Asked by Oprah if there were any concerns that her child was’ too brown ‘and that that would be a problem, Meghan said:’ If that’s the assumption you’re making, that’s pretty sure.
But the couple declined to say which family member made the comments. “This conversation, I’m never going to share it,” Prince Harry said. “At the time, it was embarrassing, I was a little shocked.
Harry also said he was hurt that no one in his family came out in favor of Meghan after the headlines and articles with a ‘colonial undertone’.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Meghan’s allegations of racism and lack of mental health support should be taken “very seriously”.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Boris Johnson watched the interview on Monday night but declined to comment further.
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