Former First Lady Michelle Obama said it was “not a complete surprise” to hear Meghan Markle detail an alleged racism in the British royal family.
Obama was asked about the Markle bomb and Prince Harry with Oprah Winfrey in an interview with NBC’s “TODAY” program, which is scheduled to air Tuesday.
Markle, 39, a biracial, told Winfrey that someone in the royal family had expressed “concerns” to Harry, 36, about the “darkness” of his son Archie’s skin.
Co-host Jenna Bush Hager said it was “heartbreaking” to hear Markle describe the conversation, adding, “She felt like she was in her own family; her own family thought differently from her.”
Obama responded, “Like I said before, race is not a new construction in this world for people of color, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear their feelings and articulate them.”
“I think what I hope and what I think is that this is, first and foremost, a family. I pray for forgiveness and healing for them, so that they can use this as an educational moment for all of us ”.
In another interview posted Monday, Obama, 57, said he hoped the couple would find a way to reconcile with the royal family.
“My hope is that when I think about what they are going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness, that there is clarity, love and resolution at some point in time,” he said. he told “Access Hollywood.”
Obama has long been a supporter of Markle, and called her “my friend” and “a thoughtful leader” in an Instagram post in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II said the allegations about racism were “worrying” and would be treated privately. He has reportedly been questioning members of the royal family over the conviction charges.