Prince William says the royals are 'not a racist family' following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview

• Prince William is the first of the royals to comment on racism since Harry and Meghan's interview.
• "We're very much not a racist family," he said.
• William said he hadn't spoken with Harry since the interview but would do so.

Prince William is the first member of the British royal family to comment on the accusations of racism within the monarchy following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

The Duke of Cambridge told reporters Thursday that "we're very much not a racist family" and that he hadn't spoken with his brother since the interview but "will do."

-Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 11, 2021

William made the comments in response to a question asked by the Sky News North of England correspondent Inzamam Rashid during a visit to an East London school to promote a mental-health initiative for children.

It was William and Kate Middleton's first official engagement since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview was broadcast Sunday in the US and Monday in the UK.

Allegations of racism in the royal family have been a hot topic since, following various bombshell claims from Harry and Markle, including that a family member raised "concerns" about how dark their first child's skin would be.

Winfrey said afterward that Harry told her it wasn't the Queen or Prince Philip who expressed those concerns, and the Queen is reportedly set to call Harry.

"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," Buckingham Palace said Tuesday in a statement on behalf of the Queen. "While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for further comment from Insider.

Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., also defended the royal family, saying he didn't think they're racist.

This is far from the only racism claim in the royal family's past, however, and the Queen has never acknowledged her ancestors' role in the slave trade.