Former first lady Michelle Obama said she wasn’t shocked about Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex‘s feelings about race-related issues within the royal family.
Meghan recently revealed her experience with the monarchy. In one instance, Meghan, who is the first woman of color within the immediate British royal family, alleged an instance in which Buckingham Palace questioned how dark her son’s skin tone might be.
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“Race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to have them articulated,” Obama said Tuesday on the Today Show.
Obama also touched on the position of public service.
“Public service. It’s a bright, sharp, hot spotlight, and most people don’t understand it, and nor should they,” Obama said. “The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us in public service. It’s about the people that we serve. I always try to push the light back out and focus it on the folks that we are actually here to serve.”
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On hearing about Meghan’s experiences, members of the royal family said they were “saddened” to learn about the couple’s challenges, especially concerning race-related issues.
“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,” a statement released by the palace on behalf of Queen Elizabeth read. “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
Prince William defended his family members, adding that they are “very much not a racist family.”
Meghan, a former actress known for her role in the television show Suits, married Prince Harry in 2018. In early 2020, the couple announced they would scale back their duties in the royal family, settling abroad in Los Angeles after living in Canada for a few weeks.
The Sussexes announced on Feb. 19 that they would not return as working royals, instead deciding to continue to reside in California.
