Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview was like a 'nuclear attack' against the royal family, one royal commentator says.
Richard Fitzwilliams says the British monarchy has been plunged into crisis following the "absolutely devastating accusations" in the interview.
Meghan and Harry sat down with Oprah Winfrey for an extended interview that has been broadcast globally over the past few days.
Meghan claimed there were concerns within the British royal family about how dark her son's skin might be, although didn't say who exactly raised such concerns.
She said she was so unhappy as a senior royal that she had suicidal thoughts.
Harry, meanwhile, opened up about the falling out he had with his father Prince Charles.
Buckingham Palace has yet to respond to the interview, but the story has dominated headlines in the British media and internationally in recent days.
Mr Fitzwilliams told The Pat Kenny Show that the revelations are 'toxic' for the royal family.
He said: “[There were] the allegations of racism against a member of the royal family, unnamed - talking about the colour of Archie’s skin… this is a deeply, deeply shocking allegations. We don’t know who the royal is, though we know it isn’t the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh.
“Then another devastating exposé - that Meghan was actually thinking [suicidal thoughts].”
Mr Fitzwilliams also pointed to the revelations of a falling out between Prince Harry and Prince Charles, as well as Harry and Meghan repeatedly voicing concerns about the security they and their son were receiving as part of the family.
He said: “These are only the worst areas... People have described it as some form of nuclear attack, and that’s the way I see it.
“In the past, [royal responses have] tended to be the mantra of ‘never complain, never explain’. That is not likely with opposition politicians… commenting on it, and with the Commonwealth aspect to it as well.
“67% of people in the Commonwealth are young… although the reports are the public here are divided over their response to the interview, the facts are it’s very concerning internationally for Britain’s image.
"These are absolutely devastating accusations, and the monarchy probably hasn’t seen a crisis like this since the abdication, I would suggest.”
He said the infamous BBC Panorama interview with Princess Diana happened amid a collapsing marriage and at a time when she was very isolated.
He added: “This is done by Harry and Meghan in their late 30s… they are anything but isolated now.
“There is a revenge aspect to this attack, no doubt about it - and an attack it is.”
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