London, March 11 (TIWN) After senior members of the British Royal family held crisis meetings, the Buckingham Palace said the issues, including that of racism", raised by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle during their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey were "concerning" and "taken very seriously", the media reported.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Palace said: "The whole family is 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.  "Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members." 

The statement was issued a day after the interview was aired in the UK on iTV on Monday night, just 24 hours after it was broadcast in the US on Sunday.  The crisis meetings took place on Monday after the Palace had been under growing pressure to respond to the interview during which Meghan accused the Royal family of being cold and racist, especially towards her and their son Archie, which pushed the couple away, the BBC reported.