The Queen Breaks Her Silence After Meghan And Harry Accuse Royals Of Racism In Oprah Interview

Two days after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused the British royal family of racism in a bombshell tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Queen Elizabeth addresses their claims in a statement released through Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth Breaks Her Silence

Here’s the statement:

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

In the interview with Oprah, Meghan claimed that a senior member of the royal family, whose identity she refused to name, had expressed concerns over what the skin color of her then-unborn son Archie would be.

Meghan also said that she felt so isolated as a royal that she even considered suicide during her pregnancy.

Related: Jimmy Kimmel Blasts ‘Inbreeding’ Royals After Meghan And Harry’s Interview With Oprah

How The Royal Staff Took The Interview

Daily Mail reported that many of the household staff who had supported Meghan and Harry during the three years before they left the U.K., felt ‘angry and let down’ by what Meghan said in the interview with Oprah. 

‘Staff are reeling. But there is [also] a strong sense of needing to retain a dignified silence and show kindness and compassion. There’s a lot people want to say but no one wins with a tit-for-tat battle,’ said one of the household staff. ‘Bridges need to be built after all this is over, after all.’

Royal Expert Speaks Out

Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that the Queen and the rest of the royal family were taking the allegations made by Harry and Meghan very seriously, particularly the claims of racism.

She also said that Buckingham Palace would have “no choice” but to issue a response.

“The queen’s mantra has always been, ‘Never complain, never explain.’ I think the Palace was hoping and certainly newspapers were being briefed over the weekend that this would just be a storm that blew over given time,'” Nicholl said. “I think we’ve all realized on both sides of the pond that this storm is not going to go away anytime soon.” 

“The can of worms has been opened, some very serious things have been said, and I think the Palace really has no choice but to issue some sort of a comment,” she continued. “It’s opened up a Pandora’s Box and there is something of a witch hunt to find out which royal it is.”

Related: Piers Morgan Shames Meghan Markle For Her Oprah Interview, Calls It A ‘Disgraceful Betrayal’

Prince William ‘Devastated’

Nicholl also said that Harry’s brother Prince William was left “devastated” by this interview.

“William is devastated by this interview. Don’t forget that the Duchess of Cambridge is being dragged into this whole saga and William will hate that and of course, relationship between father and son is of course at an all-time low,” Nicholl said, adding that William was undoubtedly particularly upset that the couple talked about his wife, Kate Middleton. 

“I think that the idea that Kate’s being dragged into this will be upsetting for Kate who behind the scenes has tried really hard to be a peacemaker between William and Harry,” the expert added. “She has been deeply saddened by the brothers’ falling out. Don’t forget she was incredibly close to Harry herself.”

After this interview, it seems that the rift between Harry, Meghan and the royal family may be wider than ever.

Any hopes of a reconciliation appear to be dashed at this point.

It’s difficult to see the Royal Family ever reuniting with Harry and Meghan now.