Former US first lady, Michelle Obama, has has said that “it wasn’t a complete surprise” to learn of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s claims of racism within the royal family.
eelive.ng had earlier reported how Markle, the Duchess of Sussex had granted an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey claiming that that she had experienced racism within the monarchy.
“When I was pregnant… we have in tandem the conversation of he (Her son Archie) won’t be given security, he’s not going to be given a title. And also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born,” she had said.
While sharing her thoughts on Markle‘s racism claim, Michelle Obama in an interview with Jenna Bush Hager on NBC’s Today show; said that she wasn’t entirely surprised by her accusation that a royal had raised concerns about the colour of her future children’s skin.
She also said that she ‘prays for forgiveness and healing for them’ and that; the royals can use the interview as a ‘teachable moment for us all’.
“This, first and foremost, is a family. I pray for forgiveness for them so that they can use this as teachable moment for us all,” Obama said.
“Race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of colour. And so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to hear them articulated.”
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Obama also spoke about the pressures of being a public servant; when quizzed about how she felt when she watched Markle‘s interview.
“Public service, it’s a bright, sharp, hot spotlight, and most people don’t understand it, and nor should they,” she said.
“The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us in public service. It’s about the people that we serve. I always try to push the light back out and focus it on the folks that we are actually here to serve.”
However; the royal family had issued a response following Markle‘s the interview saying: “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
Prince William also defended the royal family; saying they are “very much not a racist family” in response to a question about the allegations.
Watch the interview below.
