Buckingham Palace is considering hiring a diversity chief after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Fox News learned.
The news came weeks after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the media mogul that a member of the royal family was concerned about the color of their son Archie’s skin before he was born.
The family member was not Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip, according to Harry, generating a wave of speculation about who it might be.
A palace source told Fox News on Monday that they “are listening and learning to do it right”.
PIERS MORGAN TAKES ANOTHER JAB AT MEGHAN MARKLE ON MARRIAGE CLAIMS MADE AT OPRAH WINFREY INTERVIEW
This image provided by Harpo Productions shows Prince Harry, from the left, and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, talking to Oprah Winfrey.
(AP)
“Diversity is an issue that is taken very seriously in royal families,” explained the source. “We have policies, procedures and programs in place, but we have not seen the progress we would like in terms of representation and more needs to be done, we can always improve. The work to do this has been going on for some time now and comes with the full support of the family. “
The source added that it is still too early to announce any official roles.
“Many measures are being considered,” said the source. “Certainly the idea of someone to lead this work and look at the diversity [and] inclusion in the three families is something that must be considered. However, it is too early for any firm plans to be announced. “
On March 7, CBS broadcast a two-hour narrative that Harry, 36, and Markle, 39, gave to Winfrey, 67. During the television session, Harry revealed that his relationship with his father, Prince Charles and his brother older Prince William broke up.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke favorably about Queen Elizabeth II to Oprah Winfrey.
(Getty Images)
Markle, who is biracial, also described feeling so isolated and miserable within the royal family that she had thoughts of suicide. The former television star also said she sought mental health help through the palace’s human resources department, but was told there was nothing she could do.
Two days after the revelation, Charles, 72, left to visit a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in London. The Prince of Wales was asked by reporters about his reaction to the shocking conversation, but remained silent.
A representative for Charles did not immediately respond to Fox News’s request for comment.
Shortly after the interview, William defended the monarchy by saying that they “are not a racist family”. The 38-year-old man’s comments were made during a visit to an East London school.
PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE WILLIAM CAN NEVER ‘HAVE THE SAME CLOSURE’, THE EXPERT REJECTS: ‘THIS WAS VERY FAR’
Prince William told reporters that ‘we are not a racist family’.
(AP)
The Duke of Cambridge, who is second in line to the throne after Charles, said he had not yet spoken to Harry after the interview.
“But I’m going to do it,” he noted.
Harry told Winfrey that the royal family cut him off in early 2020 after announcing plans to step aside from his roles. But he was able to guarantee the safety of his family because of the money his late mother, Princess Diana, left behind.
He contested rumors that he intentionally surprised the queen, 94, with his decision to separate. He suspected that the rumors came from the institution.
PRINCE HARRY RECALLS THE LOSS OF PRINCESS DIANA IN A FOREWORD FOR CHILDREN: ‘IT HAD A HUGE HOLE INSIDE ME’
Prince Harry admitted that his relationships with Prince Charles and Prince William are tense.
(AP)
“I never surprised my grandmother,” said Harry. “I have a lot of respect for her.”
Thirty-six hours after the interview aired in the United States, Buckingham Palace issued a statement.
“The whole family is sad to hear the extent of how challenging the past few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” said a palace statement provided to Fox News. “The issues raised, particularly those of race, are worrisome. Although some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family in particular.”
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be very dear family members,” concluded the statement.
BRITISH MONARCHY MAY SURVIVE MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY’S CLAIMS, THE EXPERT SAYS: THEY WILL ‘CONTINUE’
Meghan Markle admitted that she had suicidal thoughts during her time as a hardworking member of the British royal family.
(AP)
Representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made no comment when contacted by Fox News.
The interview was seen by almost 50 million people worldwide.
After Harry and Markle were married in May 2018 at Windsor Castle, the royal family seemed to welcome the Duchess of Sussex, a glamorous former TV star. The pair was seen as a new youthful face for the monarchy of an increasingly multicultural nation.
The couple moved away from royal duties last year and settled in California, saying they wanted to escape racist coverage and unwanted intrusions into their privacy by the British media.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently reside in California with their son Archie.
(Getty)
During the interview, the duke and duchess shared that they are expecting a girl this summer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.