Buckingham Palace is said to be in turmoil on Tuesday, a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive interview with American chat show host Oprah Winfrey was aired in the UK and even Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked to comment on the allegations of racism that had emerged.
According to some British media reports, a palace statement has been prepared but Queen Elizabeth II is yet to sign it off as crisis talks continue after damaging claims emerged around the 39-year-old former actress’ suicidal thoughts as a newly-married Duchess of Sussex.
Harry, 36 and Meghan also revealed some racist undertones within royal ranks as unnamed royals raised concerns over the skin tone of their first-born son, Archie, even as they were told he would not be made a prince and therefore not provided with security.
“I have always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role that she plays in our country and across the Commonwealth,” said Prime Minister Johnson, when asked about the allegations during a Downing Street briefing on Monday evening.
“As for all other matters to do with the royal family, I have spent a long time now not commenting on royal family matters and I don’t intend to depart from that today,” he said, refusing to be drawn into the controversy.
Opposition Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said allegations made in the interview should be taken “very, very seriously”.
“It is really sad to see the family in turmoil like this. The issues that Meghan has raised of racism and mental health are really serious issues,” said Starmer.
“It is a reminder that too many people experience racism in 21st-century Britain. We have to take that very, very seriously. Nobody, but nobody, should be prejudiced (against) because of the colour of their skin or because of their mental health issues,” he said, when asked about the controversy during a visit to a school in east London.
“This is bigger than the royal family. For too many years we have been too dismissive and too willing to put these issues to one side,” he added.
Asked by Oprah Winfrey whether there were concerns among royals that her child would be “too brown” and that would be a problem, Meghan said: “If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.”
