Queen Elizabeth is expected to reach out to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, over the coming days in the hope of reconciliation - taking charge of the fallout following the pair's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Senior royals are still "reeling" after Markle accused the Palace of bullying, racism, and failing to support her as she battled suicidal thoughts, according to royal insiders. The Queen is now taking charge of the fallout, the Daily Mail reports, issuing a "three-line whip" to stop staff discussing the situation publicly.
The Queen will reportedly talk to Harry and Meghan on the phone in the next few days in the hopes of reconciliation.
Although the couple was informed of Buckingham Palace's response to their interview prior to its release, this was done through officials. Now, the Queen is opting for a more personal approach, the Daily Mail source says.
"People are literally reeling from what has happened and some staff would dearly love to publicly rebut some of what has been said about them," they say.
"But the Queen has taken a very measured, sensible approach. She is leading by example. This is a matter for her and the family to deal with."
Buckingham Palace issued a statement in response to Harry and Meghan's interview on Wednesday, saying "the whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Meghan and Harry".
There was significant debate at the Palace as to whether they should refute some of the allegations, the Daily Mail reports, but instead, the Queen opted for a "compassionate but firm" approach.
Buckingham Palace said: "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
"Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."
In the pair's interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said someone in the royal family had "concerns" about how dark baby Archie's skin colour would be before he was born. Harry doubled-down on the claim and accused an unnamed family member of racism.
Harry also said he felt "let down" by his father, Prince Charles, who he claimed has refused to take his phone calls.
A royal source told Britain's Evening Standard that the racism claims are particularly concerning to Charles.
"It goes against everything the Prince of Wales believes in," the source says. "He believes diversity is the strength of our society."
The source who spoke to the Daily Mail says the palace is hoping the situation will start to move in the right direction one the Queen has spoken to Harry and Meghan.
