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Meghan Markle says one royal had concerns about 'how dark' her son's skin would be
One member of the royal family had concerns about "how dark" Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son Archie would be before his birth, it has been revealed.
By Iain Leggat
8th Mar 2021, 11:56am
Updated 8th Mar 2021, 12:14pm
Meghan Markle says one royal had concerns about 'how dark' her son's skin would be (Photo by Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images)
In an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess of Sussex suggested that Archie was denied his birthright of the title of prince by the palace because of his mixed race.
'Conversations about how dark his skin might be'
Speaking in detail for the first time since Meghan and Harry's exit from Royal duties, Meghan talked about conversations surrounding whether or not her son would be given security were taking place in the months leading up to his birth.
"They didn't want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to receive security," Megahn told Oprah Winfrey.
The Duchess was visibly upset at the "idea of the first member of colour in this family not being titled in the same way that other grandchildren would be".
Winfrey asked: "Do you think it's because of his race?"
Meghan replied: "In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we have in tandem the conversation of, 'You won't be given security, not gonna be given a title' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."
The Duchess declined to say who had aired such comments, and asked if she was silent or had been silenced, Meghan replied: "The latter".
Meghan said the conversations were with Harry, who relayed them to her. Both she and Prince Harry refused to say which royal said it.
That conversation, I am never going to share," said Harry.
"At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked."
Why wasn't Archie given the title of Prince?
Protocols established by George V in 1917 give the children and grandchildren of a sovereign the automatic right to the title HRH and Prince and Princess.
When Archie was born, he was the great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, not a grandchild.
George V's declaration states: "The grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of this realm."
This means that Archie will be entitled to the titles when Prince Charles takes the throne. Only Prince George (son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) was originally entitled to be a prince.
However, the Queen stepped in ahead of Prince George's birth to issue letters patent to ensure all the Prince William and Kate Middleton's children would have the titles of prince and princess.
This is because they are in the direct line of succession of the throne, whereas Archie is not.
Asked in the interview if Archie being a prince was important to Megan, she replied: "If it meant he was going to be safe, then of course."
Meghan told Oprah: "It was not our decision to make."
She added: "All the grandeur surrounding this stuff is an attachment I don't have. I've been a waitress, an actress, a princess, a duchess. I'm clear on who I am, independent of that stuff. The most important title I will ever have is 'Mom'."
Meghan MarkleDuchess