The queen will name a “diversity tsar” after Meghan Markle accused the royal family of racism during her bombshell interview with Oprah, the Mail On Sunday reported, citing palace insiders.
In addition to the appointment, the monarchy will participate in an upcoming “listen and learn” exercise in which the royals “seek independent views” on how to enhance diversity efforts with minorities and the LGBT community, the sources said.
“This is an issue that is taken very seriously in all households,” a palace source told the Mail on Sunday. “We have the policies, procedures and programs, but we have not seen the progress we would like and accept that more needs to be done. We can always improve.
“We are not afraid to look for new ways to approach it. The work to do this has been going on for a while and comes with the full support of the family. “
The diversity enhancement plan follows allegations made by the Duchess of Sussex and husband Prince Harry in their March 12 interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were talks among the royals about how dark their son Archie’s skin would be. Prince Harry also said racism played a role in the couple’s decision to flee London to California.
The interview sparked widespread backlash, including calls from Commonwealth countries to drop Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state.
In an official statement by the 94-year-old monarch after the interview, she said the allegations of racism were “concerning” and “will be dealt with privately by the family.”