Prince William's 'not a racist family' reply was unusual, he's 'beyond livid' over Harry-Meghan interview: Expert
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, said on Thursday, March 11, that the royal family was not racist after allegations made by his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle in the explosive interview she and Prince Harry gave to Oprah Winfrey on Sunday, March 7. Following this, a royal expert has said that it was out of the ordinary for Prince William to have answered the question in such a casual manner.
On Thursday, Prince Wiliam was visiting School 21 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?” The Duke of Cambridge reportedly angrily said, "We are very much not a racist family." 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.”
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Katie Nicholl, a royal expert has commented on his response. "It was very unusual for Prince William to answer. I mean, Prince Charles was on an engagement earlier this week, and a member of the press called out ...[and] Prince Charles didn't comment -- [but] William did," she said to the media. "He answered not once, but twice. I think that's very telling of his mood at the moment."
She added that Prince William is known for being "a consummate professional when it comes to being on engagements," and that "he's done this for a very long time and I think he was probably very prepared for a question to be asked. His answer was pretty to the point, it was pretty swift, it was very much off-the-cuff."
"The fact that he answered two questions was really very, very unusual. I think highly significant," Nicholl explained, noting that sources close to William have told her that he is "beyond livid over [Meghan and Harry's] interview." Nicholl speculated, "I think he wanted the chance to say something," and that Prince William felt "that he has to defend his family.”
"I think everyone hopes that the brothers will be able to heal this rift, clearly it does run deep. I think it speaks volumes that William hasn't yet picked up the phone to call his brother. I think that he's clearly needed some cooling off time," said Nicholl. "I think the feeling though is that time is a healer. That's something that Harry himself said." She added that the brothers would likely come together on July 1 for the unveiling of a statue of their late mother, Princess Diana, at the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.
"[Diana] said she always wanted her boys to be close, and I think people saw an unbreakable bond between those boys," the expert said. "Things have come to blows, the relationship is clearly under a lot of strain, but hopefully behind closed doors that can begin to heal."
Even though Prince William said on Thursday that he had not yet spoken to Prince Harry since the interview, insiders revealed, "Both camps are prepared to come together." They also added, they wish to remain a "united front” despite the rifts caused by the interview. Another report said that the brothers are allegedly on speaking terms again following the interview. “They have opened communication channels,” a UK source revealed.