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The Queen in Windsor Castle at the weekend. Steve Parsons AP/PA Images

Queen Elizabeth reacts: 'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning'

This is the first official statement from Buckingham Palace since the Harry and Meghan interview.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS issued the first official statement from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II since her grandson Harry and his wife Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The short statement reads: “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. While 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 interview, first aired in the early hours of Monday morning, provoked a plethora of commentary and wall-to-wall coverage in British media.

Newspapers carried headlines this morning such as “Palace in turmoil” and “what have they done?” in reaction to the interview.

Meghan and Harry alleged in the interview that a member of the family – not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh – made a racist comment about their unborn son.

During the candid interview, Meghan suggested her son was not made a prince because of his race. She also spoke about having suicidal thoughts and said her approaches to the monarchy for help were turned down.

The screening of the interview on RTÉ 2 last night attracted more than 800,000 viewers.

Separately, British broadcasting regulator Ofcom said earlier it had received more than 41,000 complaints about comments made by Piers Morgan on ITV’s Good Morning Britain about the interview.

Morgan has been repeatedly critical of Harry and Meghan in the past. He also walked off the set of the show for a period this morning after being criticised by another presenter for his comments. 

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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:53 PM

    Any official comment on Prince Andrew?

    544
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    Mute
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:55 PM

    @Seán Ó Briain: he’s in pizza land checking out CCTV

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    Mute Sean O Cathasaigh
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:14 PM

    @Seán Ó Briain: leave the man alone. Did you not know, he has a debilitating condition that prevented him from sweating for a few months/ years.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:18 PM

    @Sean O Cathasaigh: probably sweating now.

    58
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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:49 PM

    Diana’s grandson Archie apparently says, “DRIVE SAFELY” quite a lot when seeing off close family.

    52
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    Mute #1 Fifthwheel
    Favourite #1 Fifthwheel
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:59 PM

    @Seán Ó Briain: Yeah! He’s on paid leave in Barbie land. Oops! Not supposed to say that, don’t tell the press.

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    Mute Davis Payne
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:24 PM

    @Seán Ó Briain: this whole Harry thing was supposed to make us forget about him

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    Mute Contrary Mary
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    Mar 10th 2021, 4:12 AM

    @Frank Cauldhame: That’s not funny.

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    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
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    Mar 10th 2021, 10:41 PM

    @Contrary Mary: it is just a little bit funny.

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    Mute DK
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:00 PM

    We don’t want to name the racist as we don’t think that would be fair on the person. Because we are nice we will just cast aspersions on the whole family instead!

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    Mute Ken Murray
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:52 PM

    @DK: yes, and the title isn’t important to me, but would somebody please think of the security!!!!

    63
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    Mute Martin Galvin
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:49 PM

    @DK: It’s not Mrs.Windsor’s son Charles anyway, as it’s well known that his favourite group is The Three Degrees ….

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:48 PM

    It’s so unbelievably sad but it’s great entertainment. That’s really the only substantive thing to say.

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:52 PM

    @Vonvonic: Oh, and Pearse Morgan is a deeply sad individual.

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    Mute
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:53 PM

    @Vonvonic: it’s all bullschit I wonder was it all orchestrated by the family to generate more $s for megsy & Haz all with the queens knowledge and blessing then once the interview is aired the queen makes a short statement to appeared concerned.

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:01 PM

    @Hugh De Payens: Yes. I see what you did there…. but no.

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    Mute Ronan
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:06 PM

    Do you really think they are that bored that they dreamed up all this hassle to keep them occupied? They are not insta influencers, they get a tonnes of money and want for nothing in the Royal family, they don’t need the hassle or the money.

    34
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    Mute Mairead Jenkins
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:39 PM

    @Vonvonic: He’s left his job presenting on morning tv.

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    Mute Irish Sean
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:03 PM

    Morgan the typical mouthpiece . Can dish it out but when challenged can’t take it. This is a man who lied repeatedly and fabricated stories when editor of a tabloid paper. And yet here he is trying to force his opinion out there. He’s accused Meghan of lying with no evidence to support his claims. Just because you don’t like someone does not give you the right to continually attack them.

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    Mute Hugh De Payens
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:12 PM

    @Irish Sean: No evidence to support claims. The ironing is delicious.

    36
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:20 PM

    @Irish Sean: and that what he is, an obnoxious know all.

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:31 PM

    @Irish Sean: I wonder what Piers Morgan would have to say about an editor who actually faked a story about British soldiers abusing Iraqi soldiers, while his own brother was serving in Iraq, to sell Newpapers? Oh wait…

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    Mute NotMyIreland
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    Mar 9th 2021, 7:23 PM

    @Hugh De Payens: I must say I cant stand ironing myself!

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:23 PM

    @Hugh De Payens: Never really liked to be fair. Though it helped to relieve stress sometimes banging the iron of the board.

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    Mute Paul Kelleher
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:12 PM

    @Irish Sean: He will be proved right though in time regardless of how he has behaved. The man makes sense to my ears.

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    Mute Elizabeth Barry
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    Mar 10th 2021, 1:45 AM

    @Paul Kelleher: your ears need cleaning then

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    Mute Padraic O Sullivan
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:56 PM

    Race wasn’t a concern for the Queen signing the Consent Decree permanently banishing her British subjects the creole Chagos Islanders from their home even though they won their Human rights case in London.
    Rented out their paradise island so the Americans could have another airbase.
    Check it out on John Pilgers site.

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    Mute Purplepickle
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:07 PM

    @Padraic O Sullivan: The royal family have a fairly dodgy history with racism . Philips little comments were only the tip of the ice berg and if they hadn’t clarified it was Philip everyone would have thought it was . It’s a lot of rich privileged people whining and fighting with each other . I’ve no time for Royals generally but that shower ( including Hal and Meg ) just take the self absorbed entitled biscuit .

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    Mute SPQH
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:56 PM

    @Purplepickle: and Harry wearing a nazi uniform! Oh wait, he’s the good guy now is he?

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    Mute Mick Tobin
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:09 PM

    A senior royal raised an issue concerning colour, Harry’s felt let down by his old man while his mam publicly doubted Charles’ fitness to be king. And he refuses to say who this senior royal was because it would be hugely damaging. I think it isn’t too hard to come up with a plausible suspect.

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    Mute Karen Ní Dhochartaigh
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:56 PM

    @Mick Tobin: I think it was William. People wouldn’t be shocked by Charles but if would be farm more damaging if it turned out to be William…

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    Mute Jimmy Mac
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:20 PM

    It’s hard to believe , 800000 Irish people watched this programme, some people need to look at there history.

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    Mute Laura Walsh
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:23 PM

    @Jimmy Mac: bit of a silly comment Jimmy, people have nothing else to do right now and this is a news story being covered in many countries. Just because people watched it doesn’t mean they like the royals or support the monarchy.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:35 PM

    @Jimmy Mac: How is Meghan Markyl (spelling?) involved in Ireland’s history?

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    Mute Jimmy Mac
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:42 PM

    @Laura Walsh: sad lives.

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    Mute Paul Kelleher
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:58 PM

    @Jimmy Mac: you make no sense. Why? I know my history but watched the programme. WTF!

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    Mute Cian
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    Mar 9th 2021, 5:56 PM

    These people and their ancestors have ruled Most of Europe for nearly a thousand of years and people are shocked by this snobbery? The media is beyond ridiculous let’s focus on these poor millionaires not being welcome into the billionaire “firm” But let’s not focus on the firms institutional pedophilia that’s rampant in the “firm”

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    Mute William Tallon
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:15 PM

    Given the Royal Family’s German heritage I’m surprised they didn’t mention the war as well in the interview! Meghan in an aside to Harry – ‘Listen, don’t mention the war! I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right…’

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    Mute Aran Mcg
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:45 PM

    @William Tallon: Remember the Fawlty towers episode where the pushy, crass, money and status driven American found his way into the hotel and would not take no for an answer on anything was not hearing it that they had no Waldorf salad and saw fit even to try to push around the British snobby and reserved boss telling him to bully staff ? That is what happened here

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    Mute Paul Kelleher
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    Mar 9th 2021, 9:07 PM

    In their quest to be inclusive and accepting of the ‘lived experience’ of their woke family member and his devious equally woke wife they are fighting a losing battle. What Meghan wants Meghan gets and then as usual discards the incumbent social ladder facilitator (Harry in this case) and then moves on to her next victim. This has been her MO and will continue to be and the public suckers will be fooled for a little longer.

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    Mute Joe Costello
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:49 PM

    I think it’s great to know, with all the money. Their just like our family ?

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    Mute Declan Gilsenan
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    Mar 9th 2021, 7:13 PM

    Monarchy?
    More of a kleptarchy . £64M of taxpayers money per year !! An absurd anachronism, should have been abolished years ago as should all such.
    Norway Sweden Denmark Holland with Spain and Belgium.

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    Mute Cez Miname
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    Mar 9th 2021, 7:30 PM

    @Declan Gilsenan: can see why you’re so bugged by this. What’s it matter to you what these countries do with their money?

    21
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    Mute Denise
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    Mar 9th 2021, 11:37 PM

    Yawn , has Meghan picked up her toys after learning Archie wasn’t getting a title , get over it

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    Mute Hear me now
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:03 PM

    Archaic institution, hardly surprising there is some racists in it.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Mar 9th 2021, 7:04 PM

    When the lockdown is over and we go back into another lockdown..Will it be on Netflix by then.

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    Mute Eddie Michael
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:17 PM

    She successfully buried the Prince Andrew scandal….

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:27 PM

    @Eddie Michael: I don’t think that’s over yet:)

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:34 PM

    LOL

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Mar 9th 2021, 6:40 PM

    We don’t have a queen

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Mar 9th 2021, 8:26 PM

    @Pat Andrews: Well….. no better not.

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    Mute Roy O' Brien
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    Mar 10th 2021, 8:47 AM

    Who cares

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