How the royal family responded after Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview

Reports have emerged about how the royals dealt with the fallout from the explosive interview, as sources tease there is more unseen footage.

Royal aides frantically worked through the night to formulate a plan and brief the Queen at breakfast after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell interview aired, with leaks from inside Buckingham Palace reportedly starting to emerge.

More than 24 hours after the interview, the 94-year-old Queen responded with a brief statement which said the whole family was saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

“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,” it continued.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

RELATED:Fatal blunder in Queen’s statement

The royal family in happier times. Picture: John Stillwell/AFP

A statement expressing the family’s love and concern was put together after the program, but the Queen refused to sign off on it that morning as she reportedly wanted more time to consider her response to the devastating claims, according to The Times.

Some of the most explosive claims from the interview include Meghan’s declining mental health and the palace’s refusal to help, allegations that concerns were raised about baby Archie’s skin colour by a family member, and the decision to deny Archie the title of prince – and the security and protection that comes with it.

After the interview went public, senior palace staffs held crisis talks and decided a coordinated response from the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Williams households would be best, reported The Telegraph.

The interview aired at 1am UK time with the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young and Clive Alderton, the private secretary to the Prince of Wales, staying up to watch the program together. Other royal staff reportedly watched on their laptops from home.

RELATED:Oprah’s new nickname after interview

There were many explosive claims made in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah. Picture: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images

While the world waited for the royal family’s response, Prince Charles toured a NHS pop-up COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday but only gave a nervous chuckle when a journalist asked him about the interview, reported The Mirror.

Thomas Markle came out swinging in an interview on Good Morning Britain, lashing out at Harry and coming to the defence of the royals, claiming the family isn’t racist.

Harry and Meghan’s two hour interview was watched by 11 million people in the UK on Monday night, but it may not be the end of this royal soap opera.

Sources have claimed that there is hours of footage still on the cutting room floor, which could be trotted out at later date.

But one poll suggested that the monarchy still enjoys support from a large majority of Brits. A YouGov survey found 47 per cent of respondents believed that the Sussexes’ interview was “inappropriate”, compared to 21 per cent who saw it as the right thing to do.