Kate Middleton’s real reaction to being named as one of the ‘racist royals’ in Endgame

The Princess of Wales “kept calm and carried on” amid allegations of racism within the royal family back in 2023. 

The controversy first ignited in 2021, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down for a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. During the sit-down, the Duchess of Sussex claimed that while she was pregnant with her son Prince Archie, a member of the royal family raised “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born”.

The Suits alum didn’t identify who made the remark, explaining: “I think that would be very damaging to them.” Harry also told Oprah: “That conversation, I am never going to share. But at the time, it was awkward. I was a bit shocked.”

Charles and Kate named

Two years later, a Dutch translation of Omid Scobie’s book Endgame revealed the Princess of Wales and King Charles to be the two royals involved in the racism row. Now Russell Myers’ new book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, is shedding light on how the Waleses reacted to Kate and the King being named. 

The author writes: “Whereas the furore filled the news agenda for days, a palace source tells of an ‘almost serene calmness’ from both Catherine and William: There’s no getting away from it, it wasn’t pleasant. But no one was in a state of panic, there wasn’t any crisis to fight back.”

“They knew it would be handled appropriately in-house and the whole scenario was so preposterous that it was more hurtful than anything. Here are two people who spend their time doing all they can for the benefit of others and their characters were being smeared in the most appalling manner. The message was to keep calm, stay together and carry on, and that was from the very top.”

One source, described as well-placed, suggested to Russell that “William was vexed at the audacity of dragging his father and wife into the racism row without any foundation.” “He was pissed off,” the source said of William. “He thought it was callous and purposeful. To be accused of something so abhorrent was completely beyond the pale and couldn’t be further from the truth of how they are as people and as a family.”

Days after his brother and sister-in-law’s interview aired, Prince William publicly defended the royal family, telling a reporter as he left an engagement: “We’re very much not a racist family.” Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace broke its silence with a statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth, memorably asserting that “recollections may vary”.

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the statement read. “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,” adding: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

Harry’s denial

Despite the reaction and headlines sparked by the Sussexes’ Oprah interview, Harry denied accusing members the royal family of racism while speaking with ITV’s Tom Bradby in 2023.

“In the Oprah interview, you accuse members of your family of racism…” the interviewer began to tell Harry. “No I didn’t. The British press said that,” the Duke stated. “Did Meghan ever mention ‘They’re racist?'”  

© Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Tom then reminded Harry that Meghan “said there were troubling comments about Archie’s skin colour”. “There was concern about his skin color,” Harry confirmed. 

“Right. Wouldn’t you describe that as essentially racist?” Tom then asked. “I wouldn’t, not having lived within that family,” Harry replied. 

The Duke pointed out in the interview that “racism and unconscious bias” are two different things. 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.”