Queen Elizabeth II will begin to question senior royalty in particular about accusations of racism – while her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, spends the 23rd day in a hospital after heart surgery, according to reports.
The 94-year-old monarch said the alarming statements by grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, during the interview with Oprah Winfrey, will be “addressed in particular by the family”.
Sources told Sun that she will begin to confront senior royalty on the allegations individually – including Harry himself.
The main focus will be Harry’s claim that at least one family member raised concerns about “how dark” his mixed-race children would be, which the queen called particularly “worrying”.
Harry struggled to tell Oprah that neither the queen nor her husband, Philip, had made the comment racially charged.
But the monarch will interview all other members of senior royalty, said the Sun, including Harry’s father, heir to the throne, Prince Charles, who is “deeply” concerned about the skin color claim.
“It goes against everything the Prince of Wales believes,” a source told the Evening Standard, using the formal title of Charles. “He believes that diversity is the strength of our society.”
Others likely to be interviewed include Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate, said the Sun.
However, some royal experts believe the queen’s statement that “memories may vary” suggests that she already knows who made the inflammatory comment.
“It is clear that she spoke to the person who allegedly made the comment about Archie and they gave her their version of the events,” royal author Phil Dampier told Sun.
The drama arises when the family faces the continuing stress of Philip’s long hospitalization for heart problems.
Philip – who would turn 100 in June – was admitted to London’s private King Edward VII Hospital on February 16 as a “precautionary measure” after feeling ill.
He was later transferred to St. Bartholomew Hospital, where he had “successful” heart surgery earlier this month.