The royal household and their aides have been in disaster talks for a lot of the final two days as they formulated a response to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey.
A palace supply stresses to PEOPLE that on the “coronary heart of this can be a household, and they need to be given the chance to debate the problems raised privately, as a household.”
The couple’s first sit-down interview since their engagement — and first since stepping down as working royals — was watched by greater than 17 million viewers within the U.S. on Sunday and 11 million viewers within the U.Ok. on Monday.
For extra on how the Royal Household is reacting to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah, pay attention under to the episode of PEOPLE Each Day.
“It has been necessary for us to fastidiously think about any response earlier than issuing,” the supply tells PEOPLE. “And naturally releasing one thing right this moment meant viewers within the U.Ok. had the chance to look at the interview, in the event that they wished to, first.”
Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey
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On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth.
“The entire household is saddened to be taught the total extent of how difficult the previous couple of years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the assertion stated. “The problems raised, notably that of race, are regarding. Whereas some recollections could differ, they’re taken very critically and might be addressed by the household privately.
It continued, “Harry, Meghan and Archie will at all times be a lot liked members of the family.”
DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP through Getty Pictures Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the course of the interview, Meghan stated she was “silenced” by the institution, including that she was denied help when she was struggling a psychological well being disaster and that there have been “concerns and conversations about how darkish [Archie’s] pores and skin could be when he is born” voiced by a member of the royal household. Though they did not need to title the member of the family, Oprah stated Monday on CBS This Morning that it was not both of Harry’s grandparents, Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip.
RELATED: The Biggest Bombshells from Meghan and Harry’s Oprah Interview
With the palace in turmoil over the racism claims made within the interview, the supply went on to emphasize that “variety, equality, inclusion and psychological well being are necessary points, and highlighting them has shaped a part of the work of members of the Royal Household for a few years.”
Dominic Lipinski/PA Pictures through Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
A statement launched Feb. 19 by Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, will not return as working royals. The announcement got here one 12 months and one month after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared their plans to step again, which got here with a one-year review period.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Household it’s not attainable to proceed with the tasks and duties that include a lifetime of public service,” the palace assertion stated.
In response, Prince Harry and Meghan pushed again with an announcement that pointedly referenced the Queen’s: “We are able to all stay a lifetime of service. Service is common.”
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Pictures Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth and Meghan Markle
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Prince Harry and Meghan’s workplace additionally stated that the pair “stay dedicated to their obligation and repair to the U.Ok. and world wide, and have supplied their continued assist to the organizations they’ve represented no matter official function.”
