Buckingham Palace may look into appointing diversity chief, reports say

LONDON — Buckingham Palace may look into appointing an official to oversee diversity and inclusion efforts for the three households of the British royal family, multiple news outlets are reporting.

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According to CNN, a “royal source” who spoke on condition of anonymity said the royal family is considering “lots of measures,” including naming a “diversity chief” to work with Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House.

“Certainly, the idea of someone to spearhead this work and look at diversity/inclusion across the three households is something that has to be considered,” the source told CNN. “It is too early, however, for any firm plans to be announced. We are listening and learning to get this right.”

The royal family fully supports the initiative, the Times reported.

The reports came two weeks after Britain’s Prince Harry and wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, opened up about the difficulties that led to their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family and move to the United States in a prerecorded interview with Oprah Winfrey. In the two-hour special, which aired March 7, Meghan said that when she was pregnant with Archie, there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Winfrey, visibly shocked, first replied, “What?” before asking for clarification on who was having those conversations.

Meghan, 39, said the issue was brought up with Harry, not her, but declined to say who was involved.

“I think that would be very damaging to them,” Meghan said.

Later, Harry, 36, corroborated Meghan’s claim but said he’s “never going to share” the conversation.

“But at the time, it was awkward,” he said. “I was a bit shocked.”

Two days later, Buckingham Palace officials released a statement on Queen Elizabeth II’s behalf, saying the royal family was “saddened” by the revelations.

“The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning,” the statement read. “While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”

The statement added: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

On March 11, Harry’s brother, Prince William, issued his first public comments about the interview, telling reporters that he hadn’t spoken to Harry but planned to do so, according to The Associated Press.

“Can you just let me know, is the royal family a racist family, sir?” one reporter asked William, who was visiting a London school with his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

“We’re very much not a racist family,” William said.

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