WE HAVEN’T SPOKEN
He says ‘my family is not racist’ & admits no contact with brother since Oprah
PRINCE William has admitted he has not yet talked to Harry about his royal racism claims.
The future king became the first member of his family to speak out after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.
Harry and Meghan claimed a royal had expressed concern over “how dark” their son Archie’s skin might be.
William insisted yesterday “we’re not a racist family” and vowed to talk to his brother.
PRINCE William revealed he has not spoken to his brother Harry since his bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, but firmly vowed yesterday: “I will do.”
The Duke of Cambridge also hit back at accusations by Harry and Meghan, insisting: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
Prince Harry also suggested a rift between the brothers is being managed with “space” – but we can reveal they still intend to unveil a statue of late mother Diana together in July.
William was the first royal to tackle head-on the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex’s claims that a senior member of The Firm remarked to Harry how “dark” his unborn children would be.
During a visit yesterday to a school in East London, a reporter asked: “Have you spoken to your brother since the interview?” Appearing to reveal his frustration with the issue, William raised his eyebrows above his facemask to reply: “No, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I will do.”
As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked past journalists, William was asked: “Is the Royal
Family a racist family, sir?” He said: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
Royal sources confirmed the brothers have not spoken in months, however, it can be exclusively revealed that William, 38, is prepared to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with his 36-year-old brother at the unveiling of their late mother’s statue this summer.
Insiders have told The Mirror “both camps are prepared to come together” and put on a “united front” – despite the Sussexes accusing Royal Family members of racism, peddling lies and ignoring Meghan’s cries for help as she contemplated suicide while pregnant.
Meghan also detailed an incident over flower girl and bridesmaids’ fittings in the run-up to her wedding in May 2018, suggesting Kate, 39, had made her cry, contrary to various news reports at the time which stated the opposite. Despite the barrage of accusations, William and Kate are understood to be ready to offer an olive branch to the Sussexes.
William is understood to still want Harry by his side when the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, is unveiled at Kensington Palace on July 1. A royal source said: “Tensions are undoubtedly running high but they both realise it is important to put any differences aside for the ceremony at least.
“There is definitely a feeling that both camps are prepared to come
Tensions are running high but they realise it is important to put differences aside for this
ROYAL SOURCE SAYS PRINCES WILL UNVEIL STATUE TOGETHER
together and put on a united front for such a special occasion.”
The sculpture the princes commissioned will be presented on what would have been her 60th birthday.
Harry has told friends he intends to be there, although Meghan will most likely be absent due to the impending arrival of their second child, which they revealed will be a girl. Kate will also plan to be at the ceremony.
The princes have not been seen together since an uncomfortable March 2020 encounter at Westminster Abbey. Harry signalled to Oprah his wish for a reconciliation, saying “time heals all things, hopefully”.
He added: “I love William to bits, he’s my brother, we’ve been through hell together, we have a shared experience, but we were on different paths.”
The Queen is understood to be planning to contact Prince Harry in the coming days to try to calm tensions after the explosive interview.
The head of state insisted the family would investigate claims of racism,
but appeared to lay down a challenge to the Sussexes’ version of events.
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on behalf of Her Majesty, she said: “Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
Insiders revealed William would
“take the lead from his grandmother” before speaking to his brother.
Despite the furore, William and Kate concentrated on their duty to yesterday promote her Mentally Healthy Schools project.
The royal couple were welcomed to the school by co-head teachers Stephanie Shaldas and Edmund Coogan and were soon introduced to some of the school’s youngest pupils.
Kate, in a pink Max & Co coat, knelt down to talk to children in a pop-up cafe, while William helped a little girl build a wall in the playground.
He joked that he had been taking orders from the construction manager. “I was just doing what I was told,” he said to laughter from teachers.
A spokesman for the Sussexes declined to comment.