Obama prays for royal family
Michelle Obama said she is praying for “forgiveness and healing ” for Britain’s royal family following revelations by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. They alleged racism within the monarchy, a claim that stunned the world.
Meghan is biracial, and the history of mixed-race British royals is rare.
When asked by NBC host, Jenna Bush Hager, how she felt about Meghan’s claims that she had experienced racism within the monarchy - allegedly at the hands of an unnamed family member who had expressed concerns about her child’s skin tone, Obama said the claim was not a “complete surprise.”
The interview aired Tuesday morning.
“Race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to have them articulated,” she said, adding that it was important to note that the royal institution was “first and foremost a family” that would need time to heal following the comments.
Obama expressed hope that the family could use the controversy and topic of race as a “teachable moment.”
Last week, Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II was “saddened” by the allegations and that the issue of racism within the family would be investigated privately. The palace added that the couple would always be much loved members of the family.
The Obamas have close ties to the royals and have met the Queen and other senior members of the family on multiple occasions.
In 2019, the duchess guest-edited British Vogue’s September issue and interviewed Obama
about motherhood, her working life and what it means to be a force for change. The duchess referred to the former first lady as “inspirational,” “motivating ” and “funny,” while Obama said she couldn’t wait for Meghan and Harry to “savour” the magic of parenthood.