Michelle Obama says it wasn’t ‘a complete surprise’ to hear Meghan Markle’s claims of racism in the royal family

Michelle Obama has said that “it wasn’t a complete surprise” to learn of Meghan and Harry’s allegations of racism within the royal family and that she hoped it would be “a teachable moment for us all”.

The former first lady added that she was praying “for forgiveness and healing” for the royals.

In their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed that an unnamed royal - although not the Queen or the Duke or Edinburgh - had expressed “concerns” about how dark son Archie’s skin would be.

Ms Obama’s comments came as she was interviewed for US television for Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of former president George W. Bush.

Ms Bush Hager asked: “What about when she [Meghan] talked about the fact that she experienced racism? I feel like that was heartbreaking to hear, that she felt like she was in her own family, you know, her own family thought differently of her?”

Michelle replied: “Race isn't a new construct in this world for people of colour, so it wasn't a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to have them articulated.

“I think the thing that I hope for, and the thing I think about, is that this first and foremost is a family. And I pray for forgiveness and healing for them so that they can use this as a teachable moment for us all.”

And in a separate interview with Access Hollywood, Ms Obama said: “My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family, and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time.

“Because there’s nothing more important than family.”

The royal family issued a response following the interview saying: “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.”

Then Prince William defended the royal family, saying they are “very much not a racist family” in response to a question about the allegations.

Her comments come as Meghan is said to be “upset” that no-one from the royal family has reached out to her since her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

After speaking with Meghan and Harry at the weekend, TV presenter Gayle King claimed that the Duchess is still waiting to hear from the royal family.

Speaking on CBS This Morning on Tuesday, she said: “I think what is still upsetting to them is the palace keep saying they want to work it out privately, but yet, they believe these false stories are coming out that are very disparaging against Meghan, still.

“No one in the royal family has talked to Meghan yet, at this particular time.

“And I think it’s frustrating for them to see that it’s a racial conversation about the royal family when all they wanted all along was for the royals to intervene and tell the press to stop with the unfair, inaccurate, false stories that definitely have a racial slant,” she said.