What the Queen said and what she meant: Royal experts decode Her Majesty’s statement in full
- The Queen released an official response to Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview
- Experts say comment used ‘exquisite phrase,’ to accuse Sussexes of ‘fantasy’
- Others say the full comment, released earlier today, was ‘edged with sadness’
Royal experts have dissected the Queen’s official response to Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview line by line.
The interview with Oprah Winfrey aired in the US on Sunday, followed by ITV yesterday, with around 11.1million Brits tuning in to watch.
The interview was marked by bombshell claims by Meghan Markle, 39, who claimed Prince Harry, 36, was asked by a close relative ‘how dark’ Archie would be before he was born in 2019.
Accusing the unnamed Royal of racism, she said there were ‘concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born’.
Today an official statement from The Queen suggested ‘recollections may vary,’ on certain events, but insisted the Sussexes will ‘always be much loved family members’.
Royal experts have analysed key phrases from the Royal statement and given their verdict to MailOnline.
Royal commentators have responded to a statement on behalf of The Queen released tonight, with one saying the phrase ‘recollections may vary,’ was ‘telling’
What Her Majesty said:
‘The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.’
What royal experts say she means:
Former Press Secretary to Her Majesty Charles Anson 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.’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused an unnamed member of the Royal Family of racism during their interview with Oprah Winfrey, while Meghan also opened up about her struggles after joining the family
Royal experts say The Queen’s official statement was ‘edged with sadness,’ after it was released in response to Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey
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 author Phil Dampier said: ‘I’m sure the Queen is desperate to heal the wounds and deal with this in private.’
What Her Majesty said:
‘The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.’
What royal experts say she means:
Royal author Phil Dampier said: ‘The phrase ”recollections vary” is telling.
‘The Queen is really saying that Harry and Meghan might be giving their version 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.’
Royal biography Tom Bower referred to the quote ‘while recollections may vary,’ as an ‘exquisite phrase to accuse the Sussexes of Disney style fantasy’
Former Press Secretary to Her Majesty Charles Anson said her message was ‘edged with sadness’.
He added: ‘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.’
Royal biography Tom Bower went a step further than Mr Dampier, saying: ”’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.’
Royal commentator Robert Jobson said: ‘The palace believe diversity, equality, inclusion and mental health are important issues and highlighting that has formed part of the work of Members of the Royal Family for many years.’
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline: ‘The Queen, part of whose life’s work has been to nurture the Commonwealth, a symbol of diversity, has rightly expressed concern about the issue of race being raised.
Royal author Phil Dampier said The Queen was ‘desperate’ to heal wounds within the Royal Family, adding: ‘Above all she wants to keep the identity of the senior royal who made the alleged remark about Archie’s skin colour a secret’
‘As has been widely reported, the views expressed on several issues by the Sussexes were highly questionable.
‘The Queen’s use of the phrase ”while some recollections may vary” handles this with sensitivity.
‘We know from her Christmas messages how important the family is to the Queen. All families have their differences and difficulties and the strength of Harry and Meghan’s feeling that they had been badly treated was obvious.’
What Her Majesty said:
‘Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.’
What royal experts say she means:
Royal author Phil Dampier said: ‘By saying Harry and Meghan are “much 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.’
Richard Fitzwilliams said The Queen’s statement ‘assured,’ Harry and Meghan their concerns were taken seriously, while encouraging to raise them privately, ‘as a family’
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: ‘The reference to Harry, Meghan and Archie as ”loved family members” is therefore highly appropriate.
‘They are assured that their concerns are taken very seriously and that the way to handle the issues they have raised is to do so privately, as a family.’
Former Press Secretary to Her Majesty Charles Anson said her message was ‘edged with sadness’.
He told Sky News: ‘On the personal basis, they will be always much loved members of the family and will no doubt join in family occasions despite these troubles, which one hopes will be alleviated over time.’
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