England Parted in Response to Meghan Markle's Accusations of Racism to the Kingdom
British media responded to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview on US television saying they were shocked and devastated.
But commentators in Britain are divided about allegations of racism that Meghan, who has the title 'Duchess of Sussex', has leveled at the royal family.
Headlines about Harry and Meghan graced the front pages of British newspapers.
The Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror focused on Meghan's claims of racism, while The Daily Express wrote "Kate made me cry", a quote from Meghan's statement about Kate Middleton, and The Sun chose the headline "Meg: I feel suicidal".
The two couples, who sit with host Oprah Winfrey in California, said there was "worry and conversation" from within the royal family about the color of their son Archie.
Prince Harry also said his wife was subjected to racism in the British press shortly after her honeymoon period.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to comment on the allegations.
Asked about the two couples' interview during a press conference on COVID-19, PM Johnson said he "has always had great admiration for the Queen for her role as a unifier in our country and throughout the Commonwealth region".
But he said "when it comes to the royal family, the right thing for a prime minister to say is to say nothing".
In contrast, Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labor Party, said the palace should take the accusations seriously.
"The issues Meghan raised about racism and mental health are very serious issues," he said.
"It's a reminder that too many people are experiencing racism in 21st century England."
Britain's Shadow Education Minister Kate Green said the racism claims were "very shocking" to the full investigation.
"I'm sure the palace will think about this very carefully, and I'm sure people will wonder what response the court will say, but there is never any excuse under any circumstances to [justify] racism," Green said.
Katie Nicholl, royal editor of Vanity Fair magazine, highlighted the thought of Meghan wanting to end her own life while being part of the royal family as the most prominent interview moment.
"I thought the revelations came strong and fast ... you seemed to be thrown into Meghan's suicidal thoughts," Nicholl said.
"Meghan and Harry have dropped so many bombs in this interview and now they're going to see the repercussions."
Piers Morgan, outspoken co-host of the ITV station's Good Morning Britain, said he was "disgusted" by "the royal family's two-hour trash show while Prince Philip was lying in the hospital".
He added that he did not accept the couple's perceptions of racism inside Buckingham Palace.
"They screwed up everybody ... they basically assumed the entire royal family was representatives of white supremacy," Morgan said.
"I was angry to the top of my head."
Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello! Magazine, described the interview as Prince Harry and Meghan's way of solving an old problem.
"I was anticipating more criticism about the press, media, social media and perhaps the institutions of the monarchy itself," Nash said.
"But it feels more like leveling scores personally with family members."
Her comments may allude to Meghan's rumored rift and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
The widely reported story is that Meghan made Kate cry before her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
After Meghan told Oprah "the opposite happened," the journalist for the Daily Telegraph who wrote the original article appeared on British television to defend her story.
Daily Telegraph editor Camilla Tominey acknowledged that the conversation between the two women was perhaps "more nuanced" than previously thought, but added that Catherine had no way of defending herself.
"However much we all wanted it, [Kate] would never sit in that chair and talk heart to heart, she would never do it on Oprah's show, and neither would the Queen," said Tominey.
"Prince Charles has once again generated a large amount of criticism, [for example] the story that he did not answer his son's phone calls. Prince William also did not leave a very good impression.
"And as a spectator, what remains is the feeling that this family relationship has exploded and there is no way to get back to how it was."
Away from the UK, Meghan was hailed by American Serena Williams in an Instagram post as "empathetic and compassionate" who shows the courage to speak out against racism in an "institution."
"I know firsthand the sexism and racism that institutions and the media use to demonize women and people of color to belittle us, destroy us and vilify us," Williams wrote.
