THE Queen “extended an olive branch” to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry via her statement but “must learn to modernise”, a royal expert has claimed.
Appearing on True Royalty TV’s Royal Beat, royal expert Katie Nicholl said Her Majesty and the Royal Family “need to listen and learn” from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
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After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview aired in the UK on Monday night, The Queen said she was “saddened” to learn the “full extent” of the couple’s suffering – but added: “Some recollections may vary.”
Her Majesty signed off the statement: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Commenting on the statement, Katie said: “I think [The Queen] wanted to give it a moment and come back with something that was going to pacify a situation.
“She is not brushing it under the carpet, she is extending an olive branch, which I think is very clear in that statement.”
However, the expert says Harry and Meghan’s interview had striking similarities with Princess Diana‘s Panorama appearance and that the Royal Family will have to “modernise”.
She continued: “It is like nothing has been learnt from Diana.
“It makes the institution look like it’s stuck in another era when what is crucial to the Monarchy’s survival is its progression.
“If it doesn’t progress and modernise it has no place in society, it has to keep up with the times.”
It comes as:
- Piers Morgan smiled for the media after stepping down from Good Morning Britain when he refused to apologise to Meghan
- It’s claimed Meghan was helped by top mentors – but ‘wouldn’t listen to anyone’
- The royal couple took 13 holidays – despite the Duchess claiming her passport was taken away
- Meghan’s team told the BBC ‘not to just use old white men’ when debating the interview
What’s more, the expert says Meghan’s claims that she was refused support with her mental health could have an effect on Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s Heads Together campaign.
“What is also damaging is that the younger Royals have been such advocates for mental health,” Katie added. “And the idea that William’s sister-in-law is feeling suicidal and the family somehow haven’t been able to help is extraordinary.”
Meghan, 39, broke down in tears during the explosive interview with Oprah – revealing she had been left suicidal after joining the Royal Family.
Recounting how she sobbed in her husband Prince Harry’s arms, she said: “I just didn’t see a solution. I didn’t want to be alive anymore.”
Oprah was also left shocked by revelations made by Meghan surrounding Archie and her race, with the Duchess claiming the Firm had not wanted her son to be a prince and that he would not receive security.
Meghan said: “In those months when I was pregnant, all around same time: we have in tandem he won’t be given security, a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
In his first public appearance since the interview aired, Prince William insisted that the Royal Family is “very much NOT racist”.
In more Royal Family news, Meghan Markle emailed royal staff asking them ‘to finally set record straight about me’ after Kate dress row, a pal has claimed.
And Meghan Markle has a £4,800 Cartier watch she plans to give to her baby girl.
Plus ‘explosive’ William has ‘strong feelings’ about Meghan & Harry’s Oprah chat shared in one gesture, a body language guru claimed.
