The Queen will appoint a “diversity tsar” after Meghan Markle accused the royal family of racism during her interview with Oprah, Mail On Sunday reported, citing people from the palace.
In addition to recruitment, the monarchy will participate in an upcoming “listen and learn” exercise in which family members will “seek independent views” on how it can improve diversity efforts spanning minorities and the LGBT community, the sources.
“This is a problem that has been taken very seriously by all families,” a palace source told the Mail on Sunday. “We have policies, procedures and programs in place, but we have not seen the progress we would like and we accept that more needs to be done. We can always improve.
“We are not afraid to look at new ways of approaching it. The work to do this has been going on for a long time and has the full support of the family. “
The Diversity Improvement Plan follows allegations made by the Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry, in her March 12 interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were talks between the royal family about the darkness of his son Archie’s skin. Prince Harry also said racism played an important role in the couple’s decision to flee London to California.
The interview provoked widespread reaction, including calls from the Commonwealth nations to leave Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
In an official statement issued by the 94-year-old monarch after the interview, he said the allegations of racism were “worrying” and “will be dealt with by the family in private”.