MICHELLE Obama has said it was “not a complete surprise” to hear Meghan Markle’s claims of racism against the Royal Family.
The former First Lady also said she “prays for forgiveness and healing” after Meghan and Prince Harry’s explosive Oprah interview last week.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news and gossip…
The Duchess of Sussex claimed a member of the Royal Family raised “concerns” about their son Archie’s skin color and suggested that is why he is not a prince.
The bombshell interview reportedly deepened a rift with Harry’s family.
Today Mrs Obama – who has called herself Meghan’s friend – weighed in on the row to offer hope of a family reconciliation.
She told NBC’s Jenna Bush Hager: “Race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color.
“So it wasn’t a complete surprise to, sort of, hear her feelings.
“The thing I hope for, and the thing I think about is that, this first and foremost is a family.
“And I pray for forgiveness and healing for them, so that they can use this as a teachable moment for us all.”
She expressed similar hope in another interview with Access Hollywood as she promoted her Netflix kids’ show.
Mrs Obama said: “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.
“Because there’s nothing more important than family.”
The former First Lady, 57, was also asked about Meghan’s mental health struggles after she spoke in the past about her own feelings of loneliness in the White House.
She told NBC: “Public service is a bright, sharp, hot spotlight.
“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 that we serve.”
In 2019 Meghan interviewed Michelle Obama for Vogue and asked her for mothering tips after they bonded over chicken tacos.
Mrs Obama later praised her “friend” Meghan as an “inspiration” for her charity work in a post on Instagram.
She 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.
