Queen admits concern over racism claims as palace breaks silence on Harry and Meghan interview

Latest updates and essential advice from The Independent [View in browser]( [Alternate text] Daily briefing March 10, 2021 Today’s essential news from the source you trust This morning’s headlines The Queen has said accusations of racism in the ranks of the royal family will be [“taken very seriously”]( following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. The rare intervention from the head of state, who has historically kept quiet on matters of controversy, came after claims of “crisis talks” in the palace due to the fallout from the televised interview, in which the couple detailed their reasons for stepping down as working royals. However, the statement released by Buckingham Palace on behalf of the monarch said “some recollections may vary” on the issue of racism. “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” the palace statement read. “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While 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.” Piers Morgan has [stepped down as an anchor of ITV’s Good Morning Britain]( after six years, the broadcaster has announced. It comes as Ofcom confirmed it was investigating comments Mr Morgan made about the Duchess of Sussex following her tell-all interview with Ms Winfrey - including that he “didn’t believe a word” she said about having suicidal thoughts during her time as a senior royal. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said... I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report,” Morgan told viewers of Monday’s show, before later referring to Meghan as “Pinocchio Princess” on social media. The regulator said it received more than 41,000 complaints about Mr Morgan’s remarks, making it one of the most reported incidents on TV, only slightly behind the Shilpa Shetty race row on Big Brother in 2007, which attracted 44,500 complaints. A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been [arrested in connection with the disappearance of a woman]( in London, detectives say. Missing Sarah Everard, 33, was last seen in Clapham on 3 March. The officer was detained at an address in Kent on Tuesday evening and remains in custody at a London police station, the Met said. A woman was also arrested at the same address on suspicion of assisting an offender. Detective chief inspector Katherine Goodwin said: “This is a significant development in our inquiry. This is a fast-moving investigation and we are doing everything we can to find Sarah.” . We need your support The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider showing your support with a contribution. [Contribute]( . Top stories [Thousands of test and trace staff let go with just a week’s notice]( [UK’s vaccine strategy ‘puts ethnic minorities at risk’]( [Raab writes to EU over claim UK imposed ban on vaccine exports]( . Sign up to more free newsletters Subscribe to a wide range of free newsletters for exclusive news and features from our specialist reporters across the world [Sign up]( . Stories chosen for you - [Brexit trade barriers to cost UK e-commerce firms £5bn a year, report warns]( - [Boris Johnson says ‘imagination’ will solve Brexit problems – your daily politics briefing]( - [Jewish community in Northern Ireland struggling to get kosher meat for passover due to Brexit]( - [Senior Tory minister hints at U-turn over 1% pay rise for NHS staff]( - [Two SNP MPs accused of sexual harassment by Westminster party staffer]( . News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating [NewsGuard] [Find out more]( . If you can spare two minutes we’d love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.