Prince William’s defiant public response to 'racism' allegations from Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview
Harry and Meghan's Oprah appearance aired on March 7, 2021Prince William had a defiant response to ‘racism’ allegations against the royal family following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview.
It’s been four years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey aired. In the chat, the couple made a series of allegations about the monarchy and shared their experiences within the royal fold.
One allegation in particular sparked outrage and left the royal family at the centre of scandal.
Harry and Meghan’s ‘racism’ allegation in Oprah interview
During their interview with Oprah, which aired on March 7, 2021 in the US, Meghan and Harry claimed there were “concerns and conversations” within the family about “how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be when he’s born.
Meghan told Oprah of the alleged issues surrounding her son Prince Archie, who was born in May 2019: “So we have in tandem the conversation of, he won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title.
“Also, concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
Oprah looked shocked as she asked: “What? About how dark your baby is going to be?”
Meghan replied: “Potentially, and what that would mean or look like. That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him.”
Later, Harry joined Meghan and confirmed the allegations. He said: “That conversation, I’m never going to share.”
The couple didn’t name the family member, but insisted it wasn’t Harry’s grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Prince William’s response to ‘racism’ allegations
Days after the interview aired, Prince William stepped out for a royal engagement. He was asked by reporters whether the royal family was “racist”.
William, 42, replied: “We are very much not a racist family.”
When asked if he had spoken to Harry, William replied: “No, I haven’t spoken to him yet but I will do.”
At the time, a statement was released by Buckingham Palace on Harry and Meghan’s interview.
During the chat, Meghan also revealed she had suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie. She claimed that her request to receive help was denied by senior palace officials.
Royal family’s statement on Harry and Meghan’s Oprah allegations
It read: “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
Read more: Why Prince Harry decided to do controversial Oprah interview with Meghan Markle four years on
“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst 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 an ITV interview in 2023, Harry denied calling the royal family ‘racist’. He said: “No I didn’t [call his family racist]. The British press said that. Did Meghan ever mention they were racist?”
When asked if he would describe the alleged comments about Archie’s skin colour as “essentially racist,” Harry said: “I wouldn’t. Not having lived in that family.
“Going back to what my understanding is, because of my own experience, the difference between racism and unconscious bias, the two things are different.”
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