Michelle Obama Has Some Thoughts About Meghan Markle’s Oprah Interview

Like most of us, Michelle Obama has thoughts on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s emotional interview with Oprah Winfrey.

“My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family and I just pray that there is forgiveness and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time,” Obama recently told Access Hollywood while promoting her new Netflix cooking series, Waffles + Mochi. “Because there’s nothing more important than family.”

On March 7, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shook the world when they described a series of damaging experiences they faced while serving as senior members of the royal family, including concerns from family members over the color of baby Archie’s skin, refusals to allow Markle to seek help while suffering from suicidal thoughts, and the loss of security for their family. 

Regarding their relationship with the royal family at the moment, Prince Harry revealed that there is tension. “I’ve spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have for many, many years,” he said. But things have only slightly improved with his father, Prince Charles. “There’s a lot to work through there,” he said. “I feel really let down because he’s been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like, and Archie’s his grandson. But at the same time, I will always love him. There’s a lot of hurt that’s happened, and I will continue to make it one of my priorities to try and heal that relationship. They only know what they know, and that’s the thing: I’ve tried to educate them through the process I have been educated.”

As for Prince William, Harry says their relationship requires “space,” adding, “I love William to bits. He’s my brother; we’ve been through hell together, and have a shared experience. But we are on different paths.” 

Following the interview, Prince William made a rare public statement to the press. “We are very much not a racist family,” the Duke of Cambridge told a Sky News reporter on March 11, according to People. He also said he had not spoken to his brother, “But I will do.”

Of course, Michelle Obama is not the only public figure to weigh in. Responses have been pouring out from the likes of Serena Williams, Jameela Jamil, and even Markle’s old costars. Beyoncé even wrote a personal message to Markle on March 9.

“Thank you, Meghan, for your courage and leadership,” she shared on her website. “We are all strengthened and inspired by you.”