Meghan Markle's dad defends Royal Family following accusations of racism

Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle’s estranged father said in an interview on Tuesday that he does not believe that the British royal family is racist, contradicting claims made by Markle and Prince Harry in a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, Daily Wire reports.

During the interview, Thomas Markle said that he has "great respect for the royal family," noting that he believes "California is racist, but I don’t think the Brits are."

"The thing about what color will the baby be or how dark will the baby be, I'm guessing and hoping it’s just a dumb question from somebody, you know, it could just be that simple," he said. "It could be somebody asked a stupid question, rather than being a total racist."

Prince Harry had claimed in the couple's interview with Oprah that an unnamed member of the royal family had inquired into the skin colour of their then-unborn baby. The interview received widespread media coverage in the United States, with commentators particularly focusing on the alleged racist remarks from members of the House of Windsor.

As the public burst into speculation over who would make such a comment, Oprah clarified that the royal who allegedly made the remark was neither the Queen nor her husband, Prince Charles.

Harry and Meghan have thus far refused to clarify who made the alleged comment. "That conversation I'm never going to share. But at the time, it was awkward, I was a bit shocked. I'm not comfortable sharing it," Harry said of the incident.

The royal family has since said that they were "saddened" by the allegations made by the couple, adding that "Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."

The relationship of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex with the royal family has been tense ever since the couple got married in 2018. After having joined the family, Markle expressed frustration with royal protocols and became the subject of repeated controversy due to her outspoken political views, a taboo for members of the royal family which are by tradition supposed to remain apolitical.

The tense relationship reached a breaking point in January of 2020, when Harry and Meghan announced that they would be stepping away from many of their royal duties. The move was widely considered an embarrassment for the royal family. The couple has since moved to the United States.