Queen Elizabeth and her family have revealed that they were saddened to learn of the experiences of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.

The family says it would address issues around race that were raised by the couple in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The family also revealed that the issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning .

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members,” said the family in a statement.

The interview with Oprah Winfrey was the couple’s first major interview since announcing their split from the royal family earlier this year.

The bombshell interview is set to intensify an already fraught row between the couple and the British monarchy.

Read the full statement below