Royal Family News
Queen to personally phone Harry and Meghan following Oprah interview
The Queen is reportedly set to call her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle in the coming days, after their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on Monday in the UK.
According to sources, the 94-year-old monarch will use her decades of experience to ease the situation, and personally question her family on the sensitive claims from the interview.
It's believed that members of the royal family are reeling following Harry and Meghan's claims that the couple faced questions regarding the skin colour of their then unborn son Archie Harrison.
Buckingham Palace released a brief personal statement on Tuesday, admitting that the family were saddened to learn how Harry and Meghan had felt.
However, Oprah Winfrey stressed that it was neither the Queen nor Prince Philip who made the comment.
The Queen is expected to speak to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as a grandmother, rather than the head of the monarchy.
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An unidentified source told the Daily Mail that “it is difficult to underestimate how shell-shocked everyone is by what has happened.
People are literally reeling from what has been said about them.
But the Queen has taken a very measured, sensible approach.
She is leading by example.
This is a matter for her and the family to deal with.”
The publication also claimed that Harry's grandmother has ordered Palace staff to prevent discussing the interview publicly.
In its statement, Buckingham Palace said that the issues raised by the couple would be addressed privately.
A senior Palace source told the Mirror that “at the heart of all of this there is a family.
They should be given the opportunity to discuss the issues raised privately as a family.
It has been important for us to carefully consider any response before issuing.
And of course, releasing something today meant viewers in the UK had the opportunity to watch the interview, if they wished to.”
According to the outlet, the Queen will now separately quiz the royals, including Prince William and Prince Charles, about the revelation.
Their wives, Kate Middleton and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are also expected to be drawn into the probe.
Harry and Meghan refused to reveal the name of the royal who made the comments since it would be too damaging for them.
But it has brought all the family members on the radar, except the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip.
The couple have been cleared, as Harry had clarified it to Oprah off-camera that his grandparents weren't involved in any such conversation.
Meanwhile, a source says that the Palace waited for a while before releasing a statement, as it was in fear that the royal who had made the comment might be named if the situation wasn't handled properly.
A senior Palace source told Evening Standard that they feared outright denying the allegations made by Harry and Meghan could backfire, and so they took a different approach in their statement.
A denial could lead the Sussexes breaking their vow and naming the member of the royal family who discussed their son's skin colour.
There is a lack of trust, the insider said, adding that the Palace could not deny the claims until they knew exactly what was said and in what context.
It could lead to the Sussexes naming names and it blowing up again.
The source said the Queen has taken the decision to not pour petrol on the fire, but everyone is well aware that Harry and Meghan could go public again if they are not satisfied.
The Queen is expected to use her decades of experience to ease the situation and personally question her family on the sensitive claims from the interview.
The monarch will speak to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex by phone in the coming days, and this is understandable as she will speak to them as a grandmother instead of the head of the monarchy.
In conclusion, the Queen's decision to personally phone Harry and Meghan is a clear indication that she is taking the matter seriously.
This is a family matter that needs to be dealt with privately.
The Queen's approach is measured and sensible, and she is leading by example.