Yahoo Finance Thomas Markle says baby skin tone comment was ‘just a stupid question’
Watch: Meghan and Harry interview - Royal racism allegations could be 'just a dumb question', Thomas Markle says
The father of Meghan Markle has said he hopes a comment allegedly made by a member of the royal family about the colour of her son’s skin was “just a stupid question”.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Thomas Markle said he had “great respect” for the royal family and did not think they, or the British people, were racists.
He told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “The thing about what colour would the baby be, how dark would the baby be, I’m guessing and hoping it’s just a dumb question from somebody. It could just be that simple, it could be somebody asked a stupid question, rather than being a total racist.”
The Duchess of Sussex said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in the UK on Monday, that her son Archie had been denied the title of prince because there were concerns within the royal family about “how dark his skin might be when he’s born”. However, rules set by George V mean Archie is not entitled to be a prince.
Follow Meghan and Harry Oprah interview live: Latest news and updates
The allegation has been dubbed a “crisis”, but Buckingham Palace has yet to respond.
‘I don’t think the royal family are racist at all. I don’t think the British are racist.’
Thomas Markle tells @piersmorgan and @susannareid100 he doesn’t think the British public or royal family are racist.
Watch Oprah with Meghan and Harry now👉https://t.co/V0BWr4P9RR pic.twitter.com/ktlc5Qn7hF— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 9, 2021
Asked about the allegation on GMB, Mr Markle responded: “I have great respect for the royals and I don’t think the British royal family are racist at all. I don’t think the British are racist.”
Mr Markle said he had not spoken to either Meghan or Harry since their wedding in 2018, after he staged photographs for paparazzi ahead of their wedding.
He said he “wished” he had not done it, but added that his family “were attacked by the press every day” and had nobody to “protect any member of our family”.
In the interview with Ms Winfrey, Meghan said she found it difficult to discuss her father’s actions, adding: “I genuinely can’t imagine doing anything to intentionally cause pain to my child.”
Officials in Buckingham Palace reportedly had a prepared statement highlighting the family’s love and concern for the couple, but it was not signed off by the Queen.
According to The Times newspaper, the monarch wanted more time to consider her response to the explosive interview.
Watch: Thomas Markle - I've never stopped loving Meghan
Read More
Piers Morgan: Good Morning Britain viewers call on ITV to sack host for Meghan Markle comments
Labour demands Palace end its silence over Meghan Markle’s racism allegation
