MICHELLE Obama appeared to issue a thinly-veiled dig at Meghan Markle when she said “public service is about the people” – and not individuals.
The former first lady issued the statement when she was asked about Meghan’s bombshell statements about the British Royal Family on Tuesday morning.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news and gossip…
During the NBC interview which aired this morning, Obama opened up about her own loneliness in the White House, noting: “Public service is a bright, sharp, hot spotlight.
“And most people don’t understand it, and nor should they. The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us in public service, it’s about the people we serve.”
Obama said Meghan’s allegations that one family member had expressed concern over the color of Archie’s skin tone weren’t a “complete surprise” to her, however.
She told host Jenna Bush Hager: “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.
“My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family, and I just pray that there is forgiveness, and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time.”
She expressed similar hope in another interview with Access Hollywood as she promoted her Netflix kids’ show.
“My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time,” Obama said.
“Because there’s nothing more important than family.”
Meghan and Obama appear to be on amiable terms, with Barack Obama‘s wife calling her a “friend” and “inspiration” in a 2019 Instagram post.
Prince Harry has been friends with the Obamas for years and the former presidential family were early supporters of his Invictus Games Foundation.
Back in 2019, Meghan interviewed Obama for an edition of British Vogue she was guest-editing and gushed that she was “endearingly frank [and] down-to-earth.”
Obama has also struck up a friendship with Harry dating back to before he met Meghan.
She dined with him and Prince William and Kensington Palace and helped promote his Invictus Games for disabled servicemen.
Last week Harry claimed he was “trapped” in the Royal Family and had to move his family abroad to stop “history repeating itself” – a reference to his mother Princess Diana.
Meghan told Oprah she “didn’t want to live any more” as she struggled to cope with royal life, and claimed Palace aides blocked her from seeking help.
Last week CBS host Gayle King – a friend of Oprah and Meghan – claimed the Duchess has “plenty of receipts” to back up her racism claims.
Harry’s brother Prince William hit back last week insisting the Royal Family is “very much not racist”.
The brothers are set for a phone showdown after the Oprah interview plunged the monarchy into its deepest crisis for decades.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the allegations would be taken seriously but added pointedly: “Some recollections may vary.”
Meghan and Harry have been praised for speaking out, but also faced a backlash.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens said she does not believe Meghan suffered racism -and negative press is because people just don’t like her character.
The leader of a gospel choir who sang at Meghan and Harry’s wedding said claims of racism in the Royal Family are “hard to believe”.
And the dad of a soldier who was racially abused by Harry in the Army said the prince was “wrong” and the royals welcomed people of all backgrounds.
