Smoothing relations:
THE ROYAL family have taken their first steps towards a reconciliation with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, although a friend of Meghan claimed initial talks were “not productive”.
US breakfast show host Gayle King said she had called the Sussexes and was told Harry had spoken to his father, the Prince of Wales, and brother, the Duke of Cambridge, but no one has yet held talks with Meghan.
Ms King suggested that despite the conversations not bearing fruit, the Sussexes were “glad” that a dialogue had started.
After the Sussexes’ bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey was broadcast last week, the Queen said in a statement that the issues raised, including race, would be “addressed by the family privately”.
The couple had accused an unnamed Royal, not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh, of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone would be, before he was born.
Meghan revealed she asked for help when she was suicidal, but said the institution gave her no support.
King said yesterday on CBS This Morning: “I’m not trying to break news, but I did actually call them to see how they were feeling and it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too. The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive, but they are glad that they have at least started a conversation.
“And I think what is still upsetting to them is that the Palace keeps saying they want to work it out privately, but yet they believe these false stories are coming out that are very disparaging against Meghan still – no one in the Royal family has talked to Meghan yet.”
The news comes after it was reported that Buckingham Palace has instructed an external law firm to assist with its investigation into bullying allegations made against the Duchess of Sussex.
Royal aides announced this month that past and present employees of Meghan and Harry would be invited to speak in confidence about their experiences, after it was alleged she drove out two personal assistants and staff were “humiliated” on several occasions.
It is understood an outside legal company will help Buckingham Palace’s human resources team as it examines the circumstance of the allegations, first reported by The Times newspaper.
According to other reports, the Sussexes are not expected to be asked to contribute to the review, but the Duchess has written to the Palace asking for any documents, emails or texts relating to the allegations against her. Lawyers for the Duchess have denied the bullying allegations.
Buckingham Palace said it would “not be providing a public commentary”, while a spokesman for the Sussexes declined to comment.
It’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father too. US breakfast show host Gayle King.