Queen ‘refuses to sign off’ Harry and Meghan statement amid crisis talks
Royal aides are said to be locked in crisis talks with members of the family on how best to respond to a string of allegations made during the couple’s two-hour explosive chat with Oprah Winfrey.
The Queen is said to be hesitant to rush out a statement about the interview, which aired in the UK last night following its US showing on Sunday.
Meghan and Harry laid bare the struggles they faced as senior working royals, with the couple making the shocking claim that an unnamed family member had raised ‘concerns’ over how dark the skin of their unborn child might be.
Among other allegations, the duchess said she was refused mental health support when feeling suicidal.
The Palace is yet to comment on the damning revelations and a prepared statement highlighting the royal family’s love and concern for the couple is said to have been halted, according to The Times.
It was hoped the statement would help to deescalate rising tensions but the Queen is believed to want more time to think about her response before issuing a comment.
Harry and Meghan refused to name the household member who raised ‘several conversations’ over Archie’s skin tone – but the prince made it clear to Oprah that the Queen and Prince Philip were not behind the comments.
Royal aides are said to have stayed up until 3am to watch the bombshell interview as it aired in the US, before preparing briefings with members of the royal family.
However, it was agreed amid crisis talks that any response must be coordinated between the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William, reported The Telegraph.
Palace insiders have said the royals are facing their most most difficult test in decades, with one telling the Mirror they ‘need to strike the right tone rather than creating a knee-jerk reaction’.
An estimated 17 million watched the US airing of the interview, while ITV’s figures for the UK showing have not yet been shared.
CBS This Morning yesterday revealed further unaired clips from the interview, including Prince Harry explaining that racism was a ‘large part’ of why he and his wife left the UK.
The duke also added that none of his relatives spoke out in support of Meghan following the racism he said she faced in the media.
‘No-one from my family ever said anything over those three years. That hurts,’ Harry said.
In further revelations, Meghan said the Duchess of Cambridge had made her cry ahead of her wedding – the opposite of reports circulating ahead of the Sussexes’ nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting.
Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview: Key moments
Here are the key points from the interview, which UK viewers can watch at 9pm on ITV on Monday, March 8.