AKIPRESS.COM - Crisis meetings involving senior royals have taken place following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey.

BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph said Buckingham Palace "will not want to feel rushed into saying something" about Prince Harry and Meghan's claims.

The couple spoke to Oprah about racism, mental health, the media and other members of the Royal Family.

An average of 11.1m people in the UK watched the interview on Monday night.

The duchess - who is the first mixed-race member of the modern Royal Family - said a low point came when Harry was asked by an unnamed royal family member "how dark" their son Archie's skin might be.

Prince Harry later clarified to Oprah that the comments were not made by either the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden's spokeswoman said he would praise anyone for having the courage to speak out about mental health.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki described Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, as "private citizens" who were "sharing their own story in their own struggles".

In the interview, the duchess said that she found royal life so difficult that at times she "didn't want to be alive any more", and when she approached the institution for help, she did not get it.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that Meghan's allegations about racism and a lack of mental health support should be taken "very seriously".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to comment on Monday, but said he has "always had the highest admiration for the Queen and the unifying role she plays".

He said "when it comes to matters to do with the Royal Family, the right thing for prime ministers to say is nothing", after being asked specifically if he believed the Royal Family was racist.