Harry denies accusing royal family of racism in Oprah interview

Duke of Sussex says he and Meghan drew attention to 'unconscious bias', not racial prejudice

Britain's Prince Harry speaks on the ITV programme, Harry: The Interview. PA via AP

Prince Harry has denied accusing members of the royal family of racism in the Sussexes' interview with US talk-show host Oprah Winfrey.

The Duke of Sussex said their claims that a family member made “troubling” comments about the skin colour of his son, Archie, related to “unconscious bias”, not racism.

The recent incident involving Ngozi Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey “is a very good example of the environment within the institution”, said Prince Harry.

Ms Fulani, the British leader of the charity Sistah Space, was asked where she “really came from” by the late Queen Elizabeth's senior lady-in-waiting at a Buckingham Palace reception

In an ITV interview with Tom Bradby, the presenter said: “In the Oprah interview, you accused members of your family of racism."

Prince Harry responded by saying, “No, I didn’t”, and “The British press said that”.

"Did Meghan ever mention that they’re racist?” he asked.

Bradby said Meghan claimed there had been troubling comments made about Archie, Prince Harry said: “There was — there was concern about his skin colour.”

Asked if he would call that racist, he said: “I wouldn’t, not having lived within that family.”

“The difference between racism and unconscious bias, the two things are different," he said.

“But once it’s been acknowledged, or pointed out to you as an individual, or as an institution, that you have unconscious bias, you therefore have an opportunity to learn and grow from that in order so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

“Otherwise, unconscious bias then moves into the category of racism.”

Final part of Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary released - in pictures

• 

  The final part of Prince Harry and Meghan's controversial Netflix documentary was released on Thursday morning. Photo: Netflix

• 

  The Sussexes’ six-part show has become the streaming giant’s most-watched documentary in a premiere week. Photo: Netflix

• 

  The Harry & Meghan documentary is a six-part series on Netflix. PA

• 

  The documentary, billed as 'unprecedented and in-depth', is being broadcast exactly three months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. PA

• 

  The duchess appears with a towel wrapped around her hair, appearing to speak into her phone camera, saying: 'H is in London and I’m here.' Photo: Netflix

• 

  Office workers in London watching the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's controversial documentary. PA

• 

  A woman in London watches the docuseries. AFP

• 

  The couple discuss racism and the breakdown of their parents' marriages during the series. PA

• 

  The six-part series was available to watch from 8am UK time. PA

• 

  New images of Prince Harry and Meghan released by Netflix ahead of the show. AFP

• 

  Netflix showed the first trailer last week, just as Prince Harry's brother William made his first trip to the US as Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, prompting accusations of sabotage. AP

• 

  The couple quit as senior working royals in 2020 in favour of more freedom and the ability to earn their own money in the US. Photo: Netflix

“I mean what happened to Ngozi Fulani is a very good example of the environment within the institution, and why, after our Oprah interview, they said that they were going to bring in a diversity tsar.

“That hasn’t happened. Everything they said was going to happen hasn’t happened.

“I’ve always been open to wanting to help them understand their part in it, and especially when you are the monarchy, you have a responsibility, and quite rightly people hold you to a higher standard than others.

“So, the way that I’ve learnt it through my own experience and for what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, yes, you’re right the key word is concern, which was troubling.

“But you speak to any other mixed-race couple around the world and you will probably find that the white side of the family have either openly discussed it, or secretly discussed, you know, ‘What are the kids going to look like?’

“And that is part of a bigger conversation that needs to be had.”

Harry & Meghan documentary - in pictures

• 

  The Harry & Meghan trailer uses famous photos of the couple. All photos: Netflix

• 

  Previously unseen personal images taken by the couple also feature in the documentary

• 

  Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in a still from the Harry & Meghan documentary trailer

• 

  The official promotional artwork for Harry and Meghan

Prince Harry added: “But, to say that that doesn’t happen around the rest of the world, but it just happened there — that’s not true.

“But again for me the difference is unconscious bias and racism, but if you are called out for unconscious bias you need to make that right, and you have the opportunity and the choice to.

“But if you choose not to, then that rapidly becomes something much more serious.”