'Angry' Prince William tells reporter 'we're very much NOT racist', says he hasn't spoken to Harry since tell-all
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, said on Thursday, March 11 that the royal family was not racist. This came after allegations made by his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle. In the explosive interview Meghan and Harry gave to Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, March 7, Meghan spoke about racism around her son Archie and him not receiving the prince's title. She said: "They didn't want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and [said] that he wasn't going to receive security.”
“In those months when I was pregnant... we have in tandem the conversation of, you won't be given security, not gonna be given a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born,” she added.
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On Thursday, Prince Wiliam was visiting School21 in east London to promote a children's mental health program along with his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. A reporter asked him the pointed question: “Is the royal family a racist family?” "We are very much not a racist family," the Duke of Cambridge said angrily as per reports. When asked whether he had spoken to his brother since Sunday's broadcast, Prince William said: “No, I haven't spoken to him yet but I will do.”
After the airing of the interview, the royal family issued a brief statement. "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan," it said. "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." It concluded: "Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”
Prince William’s comments indicate that relations between the Cambridges and the Sussexes are strained right now. Royal expert Katie Nicholl earlier this week told ET: "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, the relationship between father and son is of course at an all-time low."
Nicholl further said, "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. She has been deeply saddened by the brothers' falling out. Don’t forget she was incredibly close to Harry herself," adding it was unclear what type of relationship Meghan, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate will have in the future.
Royal expert Phil Dampier, as per the Daily Mail, has now praised Prince William's statement, saying he is “Clearly very hurt but dignified. Well said, William,” adding, “The royals will survive and slowly fight back but Harry and Meghan have played all their cards. From now on they can't blame everyone else and have to stand or fall by their own actions.”