Catherine, Princess of Wales
Explosive response to Sussexes’ racism allegations revealed
Prince William, Duchess Catherine, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry
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Queen Elizabeth responded to Duchess Meghan’s accusation of racism in the Oprah interview with the legendary “Memories may vary” line. She was said to be the easygoing one, whereas Catherine, Princess of Wales was downright freaking out.
Queen Elizabeth, † 96, responded to the racism allegations by Duchess Meghan, 41, and Prince Harry, 38, in the explosive Oprah interview in 2021 with the infamous line: “While some memories may vary, they are taken very seriously and are private to the family addressed.” As it turns out, Catherine, Princess of Wales, 41, is said to be behind this formulation. Reportedly, Prince Williams, 40,’s wife “played a key role” in the way the royal family reacted to the Sussexes’ damaging revelations. Valentine Low, royal correspondent for the British newspaper The Times, reports on this in the new edition of the book “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown”.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Prince William wanted tough palace statement
“During the months that I was pregnant, it was always about him [Archie] will not get a title and about concerns and discussions about how dark his skin could be when he is born.” With this claim, Duchess Meghan shocked not only Oprah Winfrey, 69, but also the rest of the world two years ago – and bumped thus starting a racism debate about the British royal family.
According to Valentine Low, Catherine is said to have insisted that the royals defend themselves against the serious allegations. She wanted to send a clear signal and was determined to protect the family’s reputation. In his book, Low reveals that the “memories may vary” line was not included in the first draft of Buckingham Palace’s statement, Britain’s Telegraph reports. “There was a much milder version,” a royal insider is quoted as saying in the book. Both Prince William and Catherine reportedly wanted the statement to be “tougher”.
Kate is said to be behind ‘Memories May Vary’ line
The source explains, “They both felt they needed something that said the institution didn’t accept a lot of what was said.” The last thing that tip the scales is said to have been King Charles’ daughter-in-law, 74. After the “memories may vary” line was added, it was the current Princess of Wales who insisted on keeping it, according to another source. According to the insider, she reportedly said: “If this sentence or a similar sentence is not added, then everything [Meghan und Harry] said as true”.
Announcer Jean-Christophe Gray, 47, Prince William’s private secretary hired shortly before the Oprah interview aired, is said to have previously penned the infamous line.
Queen Elizabeth: She was the relaxed one
So while Kate was freaking out and fuming, Queen Elizabeth, † 96, is said to have met the media storm with a calm mind. So the now deceased monarch did not allow herself to be stressed or pushed to watch the Oprah interview live in order to react to it as quickly as possible. While Royal fans eagerly watched the TV event on Sunday night, the Queen waited for it to air on British television. “The draft statement was ready at 2 p.m. Monday, but the palace remained silent, much to the annoyance of the media.” A source told Valentine Low that the Queen wanted to see the interview for herself before making any statement. “One of the reasons was that the late Queen insisted that she watch the show first. And she wanted to watch it on Monday night with the rest of the population at the [Fernsehsender] Watch ITV.”
Sources used: thetimes.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, express.co.uk