British headlines after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lifted the lid on life in Buckingham Palace with an explosive interview.
Ben Stansall / AFP via Getty Images
Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex devastating maintenance with Oprah Broadcast Sunday night, the public wondered what the queen thought. Wonder no more. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry’s grandmother, issued a statement on Tuesday drawing the very cautious queen line between defending the palace and supporting the royal couple.
“The whole family is sad to know how challenging Harry and Meghan have been over the past few years,” the brief statement began. ‘The issues that come up especially about race are important. Although some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed privately by the family. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be very dear family members. ‘
The mentioned race issue probably refers to the royal couple who told Winfrey that someone in the royal family ‘expressed concern and conversations about how dark the skin of their son (Archie’s son) might be when he was born.’
In the interview, Prince Harry said he would never reveal the name of the person who discussed it with him, but only to say that it was not the Queen or her husband, Prince Philip.
The reaction to the Queen’s statement ranged from lukewarm to supportive.
“Not good enough at all,” wrote one Twitter user. “If there is a future monarch who has expressed racist opinions, then the ‘taxpayer’ has the right to know about it. Sad response.” Another wrote: ‘They waited 24 hours to deliver a whole lot of nothing. ‘
Not good enough at all. If there is a future monarch who has expressed racist opinions, the ‘taxpayer’ has the right to know about it. Grief reaction.
– Michelle Smith (@ michsmith1978) March 9, 2021
“Some memories may vary” is gas lighting 101.
– Adrian Wapcaplet (@AdrianWapcapIet) March 9, 2021
They waited 24 hours to produce pretty much nothing.
– Zininzi (@Zininziqama) March 9, 2021
I’m confident because of their excellent record?
– Paul Smith … Lake Iroquois Shoreliner (@PaulSmithTO) March 9, 2021
Translation-We are sad that the indifferent nature of the Royal machine has once again been highlighted. Forget it all for another 25 years until the next young generation encounters this hierarchical system of one upmanship and tight upper lip silence.
– vickster51 (@ vickster51) March 9, 2021
However, some reactions supported the monarch. A humane and appropriate response from the royal family, other than the interrogators ‘handling of the alleged issues,’ tweeted one person.
A worthy and appropriate response from @Royal Family, other than the interviewers’ handling of the alleged issues.
– Richard S (@richard_suk) March 9, 2021
Family issues need to be addressed privately, it is not a national or international matter or matter to disclose! They really made days out of news from gossip !!! Very smart to use race card to add spices!
– Shima (@ShimaShimmery) March 9, 2021
Totally right. Let’s let them now sort out their private issues privately as they should have been done from the beginning.
– Jill Wiggett (@Jillywiggs) March 9, 2021
The interview even found its way into the US government’s affairs. On Monday, a reporter asked President Joe Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki about the interview. While Psaki did not say whether the president or first lady Jill Biden watched the interview, she spoke to the couple’s courage to speak out and reiterated that the US and the UK have a strong relationship.
The interview is now available to watch online again.