‘We are not a racist family’, William insists
Duke defends monarchy against claims of bigotry William ‘yet to speak’ to Harry about disclosures
THE DUKE of Cambridge has defended the monarchy against accusations of racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, saying: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
William made the unusual move to answering a question put to him by a member of the media as he and his wife made their first public appearance since Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey was broadcast on ITV on Monday night.
The Cambridges were touring a school in east London to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project the Duchess launched in primary schools in 2018.
Earlier Jacob Rees-Mogg read out the national anthem when pressed to allow MPs to debate the monarchy, amid warnings it is “never wise” for a public family dispute. The Commons Leader suggested any debate to praise the Queen would take up several hours of parliamentary time.
And Sir Keir Starmer said allegations of royal racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a “matter now for the family”. The Labour leader said: “The issue that Meghan raised of race and mental health are serious.
“The palace has now responded and I do think it is a matter now for the family.”
PRINCE WILLIAM has defended the monarchy against accusations of racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Duke of Cambridge spoke yesterday during his first public appearance since highly damaging claims of bigotry and a lack of support were levelled at the Royal family by Harry and Meghan, in their interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey.
William also said he has yet to speak to his brother Harry about their disclosures but said he will.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured School21 in Stratford, east London, to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018.
Journalists had been told by Royal aides that the couple would not be answering questions, but at the end of the visit Sky News reporter Inzamam Rashid received a response from him.
The broadcaster asked whether there has been any communication between the brothers, whose relationship is known to have been troubled in the past.
“No, I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I will do,” William replied.
With his wife by his side the Duke was asked: “Is the Royal family a racist family, sir?”
The Duke said: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
William’s comments are the first public statement by a member of the royal family about the allegations made by the Sussexes, which have severely damaged the reputation of the monarchy, especially in the Commonwealth.
The Queen is head of the Commonwealth, which has a combined population of around 2.4 billion people who are ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse.
Winfrey was left openmouthed when Meghan and Harry recounted that a family member – not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh – had raised concerns about how dark their unborn son Archie’s skin tone might be.
There has been much speculation about which member of the Royal family they were accusing of racism.
But during the interview the couple would not be drawn on who had offended them, and Winfrey later said Harry wanted it known it was not his grandparents.
In its statement two days later Buckingham Palace said the issues raised in Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview, especially over race, were “concerning” and would be addressed by the Queen and her family privately.
The sympathetic tone of a Buckingham Palace statement suggests a reconciliation through dialogue in private is the aim.
During the school visit Kate knelt down to talk to children in a pop-up cafe, while William helped a little girl building a wall in the playground’s construction
area. He joked that he had been taking orders from the young construction manager, saying to laughter from the teachers: “I was just doing what I was told.”
The Duke and Duchess joined teachers and staff involved in the Mentally Healthy Schools project to talk about its aims and impact on children.
They sat in a circle outside the school because of Covid restrictions.
No, I haven’t spoken to Harry yet, but I will do. The Duke of Cambridge, on a visit to School21 in Stratford, east London.