The Royal Family is trying to carry on amid backlash over allegations of racism shared by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The pair shared a series of disturbing stories during their talk with Oprah Winfrey, a recording of which aired Sunday in the U.S. and Monday in the U.K. Stories of Meghan being refused mental help despite her suicidal ideation, and members of the royal family being concerned about how dark Meghan and Harry’s son Archie‘s skin would be have rocked the world.
On Tuesday, Prince Charles was the first member of the Firm to emerge in public since the interview. The 72-year-old was asked what he thought of the interview, in which Harry expressed sadness over their estrangement, while visiting an NHS vaccination center in London.
Charles was reportedly seen “nervously chuckling” and continued walking at the official engagement, ignoring the question.
The Queen, Charles and Prince William, meanwhile, are reportedly locked in crisis talks over the interview. The Queen reportedly refused to sign off on a statement, but then finally issued one late Tuesday. She said “the whole family is saddened” over “issues raised, particularly that of race” — although “recollections may vary.”
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,” the queen added.
Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle has also spoken out after the interview, in which she slammed his decision to work with tabloids.
He called Harry “snotty.” “We all make mistakes … but I’ve never played naked pool and I’ve never dressed up like Hitler,” he said, referring to infamous nude pictures of Harry taken in Las Vegas in 2012, as well as the time he was photographed wearing a Nazi uniform seven years earlier.
PIERS MORGAN
TV host Piers Morgan, meanwhile, is calling it quits hours after storming off the Good Morning Britain set over his co-star’s confrontation of his criticism of Meghan.
“Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain,” the network said in a statement.
“ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”