Prince William says ‘we are very much not a racist family’ in response to Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview

Prince William has spoken out for the first time since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey (Photo: Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)Prince William has spoken out for the first time since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey (Photo: Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince William has spoken out for the first time since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey (Photo: Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince William has spoken out for the first time since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey was aired in the UK on Monday (8 March).

The interview aired on CBS in the US on Sunday (7 March) before being shown to viewers in the UK on ITV on Monday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who are no longer working members of the royal family - spoke about a range of topics with Winfrey, including racism, mental health and other members of the family.

‘We are very much not a racist family’

The Duke of Cambridge has now spoken out since the interview aired, during a visit to an east London school with the Duchess of Cambridge on Thursday morning.

Prince William said his family is not racist and that he has not yet spoken to his brother since the interview aired.

After a question from Sky News, Prince William said: "We are very much not a racist family.”

When asked if he had spoken to his brother yet, the duke replied : "I haven't spoken to him yet but I plan to."

During the interview with Winfrey, Meghan said that there were “several conversations” about her son Archie’s skin tone.

She told Winfrey that there were conversations within the family, which were relayed back to her by Harry, "about how dark his skin might be when he was born".

Winfrey asked if her son being "too brown" would be a problem, to which Meghan said: "If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one".

However, the couple both refused to say who said that, with Meghan saying "I think that would be very damaging to them” and Harry adding: "That conversation, I am never going to share."

"At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked," he said.

Meghan also spoke about reports she had made Kate cry ahead of the royal wedding, and said that the “reverse” had happened.

She said Kate had "really hurt my feelings" a few days before the wedding, but that she had apologised and is "a good person". Meghan said that Kate brought her flowers and a note in order to make amends.

Harry also said that he felt “trapped” within the system before he left with his wife and son and moved to California, adding that “my father and my brother, they are trapped. They don’t get to leave. And I have huge compassion for that.”

A statement from the palace on Wednesday (10 March) said: "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."