‘Despicable’ Meghan savaged for ‘playing race card’ Royal war erupts as ex-aide furious

A FORMER senior royal aide has accused Meghan Markle of “playing the race card” after she said an unnamed royal had made a racist comment about Archie’s skin colour.

The ex-aide told the Daily Express’ royal correspondent Richard Palmer: “It’s despicable that she’s played the race card.” As Prince Harry and Meghan’s deepening rift with members of the Royal Family shows no signs of abating, Mr Palmer warned it’s difficult to see “how this can be forgotten”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey sparked a “briefing war” with other royals.

Mr Palmer said both the Sussexes and former royal aides are “furious” in the tug of war.

He said the royal household has found itself caught in the middle and is desperate to “shut down the debate and take the heat off the ‘institution’ by making this about family”.

“They want to get to the bottom of it, especially after Harry and Meghan made such disparaging and unsubstantiated comments about the UK public, the monarchy, and the media.

“It’s hard to see how this can be forgotten.”

One week after the couple shocked the world with their explosive claims, the fallout from the interview continues.

This week it emerged that Harry had spoken to Prince Charles and Prince William on the phone – but the crisis talks proved unproductive.

The rift between camp Sussex and the Royal Family has been called the worst royal crisis in 85 years.

More than eight decades ago the sitting king, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne so he could marry an American divorcee.

He chose the socialite Wallis Simpson over his royal position.

Edward’s decision devastated the monarchy.

This week US TV host Gayle King offered an update on the royal row, saying she had spoken to the Queen’s grandson and his wife after their interview was aired on CBS in America and ITV in the UK.

Speaking on Tuesday, Ms King claimed the duke told her that he spoke to Prince Charles and Prince William by phone – and sadly no progress was made.

She explained: “I’m not trying to break news, but I did actually call them to see how they were feeling.

“And it’s true Harry has talked to his brother and he has talked to his father, too.

“The word I was given was that those conversations were not productive – but they are glad that they have at least started a conversation.

“And I think what is still upsetting to them is that the Palace keeps saying they want to work it out privately, but yet they believe these false stories are coming out that are very disparaging against Meghan still.”

Mr Palmer reacted to Ms King’s update with scepticism.

The royal correspondent said the host and anyone else on the Sussexes’ side “blathering on is manna from heaven”.

He added: “Make no mistake, there is real anger out there among staff and former staff who believe the claims made by Harry and Meghan are outrageous.

“One former senior aide speaking to the Daily Express said of Meghan: It’s despicable that she’s played the race card.'”

But he warned fans following the royal crisis should hold back from taking the sentiments expressed by individuals as an indication of how the palace feels.

Mr Palmer added: “The palace wants to put a lid on this.”

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama was among those who waded into the race row sparked by Meghan’s comments.

Mrs Obama, who was the first African American woman to fill the top role, said it was not a “complete surprise” to hear Meghan raise the topic of race in her bombshell interview.

The two women have known each other for nearly 10 years.

When Meghan was expecting Archie she attended a London event to watch Mrs Obama speak about her book, Becoming.

Barrack Obama’s wife said: “As I said before, the race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to have them articulated.”