THE Queen has sent an 'olive branch' to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in a statement released by Buckingham Palace today over their interview with Oprah Winfrey, according to royal experts.
The Monarch, 94, said claims a royal made hurtful comments over the colour of baby Archie's skin would be taken "very seriously" but added that "some recollections may vary" when it came to the allegations.
Royal author Phil Dampier, who has taken a closer look at the Palace's response, told The Sun: "The phrase ‘recollections vary’ is telling.
“The Queen is really saying that Harry and Meghan might be giving their vision of events or their interpretation of a conversation a couple of years ago, without going so for as to say they are lying, which they might not be.
“Clearly she has spoken to the person who allegedly made the remark about Archie and they have given her their version of events."
A statement from the palace said: "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.
"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."
The sign off of the response, where the Queen says that the Sussexes are "loved" signals a desire to make amends, but out of the spotlight, Phil added.
"I’m sure the Queen is desperate to heal the wounds and deal with this in private.
“These are real people in her family and while we all have a view there is real pain and anguish with father against son and brother against brother.
“Above all she wants to keep the identity of the senior royal who made the alleged remark about Archie’s skin colour a secret.
“She knows that if it comes out that person will never be allowed to forget it, rightly or wrongly.
“By saying Harry and Meghan re lucky loved family members she is throwing out an olive branch and pleading with them not to say anymore and to calm down and start to build bridges."
It comes as…
- Prince Harry hit the 'nuclear button' on his family in the interview, insiders claimed
- Meghan Markle is reported to have slammed the door in Kate Middleton's face when the duchess tried to apologise over an incident over flower girl dresses
- ITV Hub crashed as the interview was broadcast on the UK screens
- Oprah revealed Prince Harry insisted the Queen and Prince Philip were not the Royals who expressed concerns about Archie's skin colour
- A new photograph of the couple with Archie was released
- Thomas Markle was interviewed on GMB
- Harry and Meghan held a private 'exchange of vows' before their wedding
- The full transcript of the interview can be read here
Former Press Secretary to Her Majesty Charles Anson has also taken a magnifying glass to the statement, and said her message was "edged with sadness".
He told Sky News: "I think these developments are difficult to deal with and and she wants to do it in a fair way but in the family circle rather than by public diplomacy."
He added: "I think the main point there has always been that the Queen has said whatever decision Prince Harry and Meghan take… Her Majesty and the Family wish them well."
Royal biographer Tom Bower also added his thoughts on the statement: "'While recollections may vary…'' is an exquisite phrase to accuse the Sussexes of Disney style fantasy.
"They need to name names and give dates and circumstances to justify their accusations.
"Faced with their unsubstantiated allegations and a huge wave of support for Meghan and Harry, the Palace's statement is a masterpiece of polite rejection and diplomatic embrace.
"The moment to establish the truth will come but the Queen is right to let first the storm die down and then begin to reestablish the monarchy's enduring status."
The Queen said the incendiary claims a member of the family raised concerns over the colour of Archie's skin would be investigated and "addressed privately".
Her unprecedented response came after the tell-all Oprah chat that saw Meghan, 39, break down in tears as she and Harry, 36, revealed the pressures they faced within the Firm.
Meghan Markle said there had been conversations with Prince Harry and a "family" member about their unborn son and what colour his skin would be – and "what that would mean or look like".
Oprah Winfrey confirmed to CBS This Morning that it was not the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh who made the alleged racist comment – according to Harry.
She said: "He did not share the identity with me but he wanted to make sure I knew, and if I had an opportunity to share it, that it was not his grandmother or grandfather that were part of those conversations.
"He did not tell me who was a part of those conversations."
Senior members of the Royal Family – including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William – were said to be locked in crisis talks after it aired in the US.
The Queen had initially refused to sign off a prepared statement that officials hoped would ease tensions and show the royal's love for the couple.
The monarch was understood to have wanted more time to consider her response.
Royal expert Chris Ship also confirmed that the allegations did not stem from conversations with the Queen and Philip.
He told Good Morning Britain: "It was a conversation that Harry had with his family members.
"I should be clear here, I've been told it's not the Queen, and it's not the Duke of Edinburgh.
"So that only leaves two family members.
"The two people you are left with is either his father Prince Charles or his brother Prince William or their wives.
"That's pretty serious.
"They protected the Queen throughout this.
"But equally they are criticising the institution of which she is head, and therefore you're criticising his grandmother the Queen."
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