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dpa
London
The reverberations from Meghan and Prince Harry’s bombshell interview were being felt on Monday as Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary denied there is racism in the royal family and politicians called for an investigation into the duchess of Sussex’s claims.
Charles Anson, who worked for the queen from 1990 to 1997, spoke about the issue of racism after Meghan told US television icon Oprah Winfrey that there were “concerns and several conversations” about “how dark Archie’s skin might be when he was born.”
Meghan, a biracial actress from the US whose mother is black and father is white, declined to say who it was that had the conversations with husband Prince Harry about son Archie’s skin colour as it would be “very damaging” to them.
“I don’t think there’s a strand of racism within the royal household at all,” Anson told the BBC on Monday.
“I think it’s much more, not even in the main print and broadcast media, I think such racism that exists tends to be most active on social media and individuals.” When presenter Martha Kearney raised that was not what the couple said, he added: “I do take that point ... and obviously one that needs to be considered.” In the interview, which aired on US television network CBS on Sunday and will be shown in full in Britain later Monday, Meghan also revealed that she suffered with her mental health during her time as a senior royal, stating she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” and claimed she sought help from a senior member of the royal family but never received it.
Anson responded that there is a “medical household” within the palace structure which he remembered being “very responsive” to members of staff and members of the royal family. The interview also prompted a response from politicians, with British government’s opposition party Labour calling for an investigation into Meghan’s claims.
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said the allegations of racism were “distressing, shocking” and urged Buckingham Palace to treat them “with the utmost seriousness” and said they should be “fully investigated.” Meanwhile, a group which is campaigning for the monarchy to be abolished said the interview highlighted how “rotten” the institution is.
“This interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values,” spokesperson Graham Smith said.
“Most people in the UK don’t give a second thought to the royals, they’re just not that interested. The monarchy is tolerated because of a carefully managed but dishonest image that’s been created over the past few decades.” He added that the monarchy “will always be part of our history” but said it “must not be part of our future.”
London
The reverberations from Meghan and Prince Harry’s bombshell interview were being felt on Monday as Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary denied there is racism in the royal family and politicians called for an investigation into the duchess of Sussex’s claims.
Charles Anson, who worked for the queen from 1990 to 1997, spoke about the issue of racism after Meghan told US television icon Oprah Winfrey that there were “concerns and several conversations” about “how dark Archie’s skin might be when he was born.”
Meghan, a biracial actress from the US whose mother is black and father is white, declined to say who it was that had the conversations with husband Prince Harry about son Archie’s skin colour as it would be “very damaging” to them.
“I don’t think there’s a strand of racism within the royal household at all,” Anson told the BBC on Monday.
“I think it’s much more, not even in the main print and broadcast media, I think such racism that exists tends to be most active on social media and individuals.” When presenter Martha Kearney raised that was not what the couple said, he added: “I do take that point ... and obviously one that needs to be considered.” In the interview, which aired on US television network CBS on Sunday and will be shown in full in Britain later Monday, Meghan also revealed that she suffered with her mental health during her time as a senior royal, stating she “didn’t want to be alive anymore” and claimed she sought help from a senior member of the royal family but never received it.
Anson responded that there is a “medical household” within the palace structure which he remembered being “very responsive” to members of staff and members of the royal family. The interview also prompted a response from politicians, with British government’s opposition party Labour calling for an investigation into Meghan’s claims.
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said the allegations of racism were “distressing, shocking” and urged Buckingham Palace to treat them “with the utmost seriousness” and said they should be “fully investigated.” Meanwhile, a group which is campaigning for the monarchy to be abolished said the interview highlighted how “rotten” the institution is.
“This interview has only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values,” spokesperson Graham Smith said.
“Most people in the UK don’t give a second thought to the royals, they’re just not that interested. The monarchy is tolerated because of a carefully managed but dishonest image that’s been created over the past few decades.” He added that the monarchy “will always be part of our history” but said it “must not be part of our future.”
