Prince William once gave a direct and public response to Meghan Markle’s allegations about the Royal Family — a rare moment that came after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2020.
The televised conversation marked a turning point for the couple, who had recently stepped down as senior royals and relocated to California. During the interview, Harry and Meghan made a number of shocking claims about their time inside “The Firm,” including allegations of conversations concerning their unborn son’s skin color.
“In those months when I was pregnant, there were concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born,” Meghan told Oprah.
Harry added, “That conversation, I am never going to share. At the time it was awkward; I was a bit shocked.”
The Duchess also addressed long-standing rumors about tension between herself and Kate Middleton, clarifying that the incident leading up to her wedding had been misrepresented in the media.
“A few days before the wedding, [Kate] was upset about the flower girl dresses, and it made me cry,” Meghan said, explaining that Kate later apologized and brought her flowers. “I’m not sharing that piece about Kate to be disparaging about her,” she added.
Harry, meanwhile, spoke candidly about his strained relationship with his father, then-Prince Charles. “I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar, he knows what pain feels like, and Archie’s his grandson,” he said. “But at the same time, of course, I will always love him. There’s a lot of hurt that’s happened, and I’ll continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship.”
In the aftermath of the interview, questions about the monarchy’s attitude toward race reached a boiling point. During an engagement at a London school, a reporter asked Prince William directly whether the Royal Family was racist. His reply was brief but firm: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
Shortly after, Buckingham Palace released an official statement on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II, addressing the controversy.
“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the statement read. “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. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”
