Buckingham Palace is addressing its diversity problem. According to multiple reports, the Palace is considering hiring someone to focus on diversity and inclusion in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s shocking claims during their Oprah Winfrey interview that aired earlier this month.
Reports surfaced Monday morning that the Palace is looking to fill a role that has been called a “diversity chief” and a “diversity czar.”
A royal source told ABC News, “We are listening and learning to get this right. We have the policies, the procedures and the programs in place, but we haven’t seen the progress we would like in terms of representation, and more needs to be done. We can always improve.”
Several reports claim that the Palace is considering this hire after Harry and Meghan’s interview, though ABC’s source said it is not directly related to the allegations of racism in the royal family made by the couple.
“Diversity is an issue which has been taken very seriously across the royal households,” the source told ABC News. “The work to do this has been underway for some time now and comes with the full support of the family.”
Another royal source told CNN, “Lots of measures are being considered. Certainly the idea of someone to spearhead this work and look at diversity and inclusion across the three households is something that has to be considered. It is too early, however, for any firm plans to be announced. We are listening and learning, to get this right.”
In the 90-minute special, both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed their future child’s skin color was called into question by an unnamed senior member of the royal family.
While speaking with Oprah about the conversation over their son Archie’s title, Meghan said there were “concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born.” She said it would be “damaging” to reveal who had voiced those concerns.
Harry later confirmed that a conversation about Archie’s skin color did take place, but said he wasn’t comfortable sharing specific details.
“That conversation, I’m never going to share. But at the time, it was awkward. I was a bit shocked,” he said. “That was right at the beginning… ‘What will the kids look like?'”
Following the couple’s explosive interview, the Palace released an official statement, saying, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. 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. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
