The sensational Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continues to
dominate the news cycle on both sides of the Atlantic. The lengthy chat between the legendary
talk show host and the royal defectors revealed several bombshells about the couple's difficult
time with the royal family. Among other revelations, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex admitted they
faced a lack of support when Meghan was going through a mental health crisis, while Harry's
father allegedly stopped taking his calls upon learning about their issues.
One of the biggest talking points centered on an unnamed member of the monarchy who questioned
baby Archie's skin color. The Sussexes' son was subsequently denied a royal title, along
with the requisite security typically attributed to the monarchy. Although Harry refused to
name the person, speculation was rife that it was the Queen herself who'd made the racist
comment. Oprah subsequently confirmed, during an appearance on CBS This Morning, that it
wasn't Her Majesty. Word around the internet turned to Prince William, who publicly commented
for the first time.
Speaking to Sky News outside of an East London school, the Duke of Cambridge hit back against
the damaging claims, stating firmly, after being questioned by a reporter,
"We are very much not a racist family."
The royal family has reportedly been left reeling following Meghan and Harry's explosive
claims. However, when asked if he'd discussed the situation with his brother directly, William
confirmed,
"No, I haven't spoken to him yet, but I will do."
Although the Duke of Cambridge is the first royal to speak publicly on the matter, Buckingham
Palace made the rare move of issuing a statement in response to the Sussexes' allegations,
promising to "address" the "concerning" allegations they made, particularly in relation to Archie's
skin color. As CBS News reports, they also noted,
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."
During their headline-making chat, Harry implied both William and their father, Prince Charles,
are "trapped" in the family.
The Prince of Wales actually stepped out for an official engagement earlier this week but,
as the BBC notes, he avoided questions in relation to the interview. However, according
to royal correspondent Sarah Campbell,
"[...] clearly [Prince William] felt he had to push back on what has become a very public
and damaging allegation. There have been headlines across the world intimating that the Royal
Family is racist so this is the first time that one of the senior members has come out
and really rebutted that."
During the interview, Harry admitted to being hurt that his family didn't stick up for Meghan
when she was being targeted by the press, pointing to the "colonial undertones" of certain
coverage of the couple. When Oprah asked whether rampant racism from the tabloids was part
of the reason they ultimately decided to vacate their positions, and the country, he confirmed,
quote, "It was a large part of it." The Duke of Sussex also advised he was taking some
"space" from his brother and father for the time being, opining, "time heals all things,
hopefully."
The fallout with Oprah’s earth-shattering interview continues around Britain. TV host
Piers Morgan has left the popular TV program Good Morning Britain. His harsh comments about
Meghan attracted a record 41,000 complaints. Ian Murray, the head of the Society of Editors,
a governing body for the U.K. press, resigned, according to the BBC, following criticism
of his response to suggestions that they're racist. In the lengthy statement, the Society
claimed, in part,
"The UK media is not bigoted and will not be swayed from its vital role holding the
rich and powerful to account following the attack on the press by the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex."
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