hello, i'm christian fraser in london. laura trevelyan is in new york. the queen has expressed her "concerns" over race allegations made by the duke and duchess of sussex. the world has been waiting for some response since the interview with oprah winfrey first aired on sunday. it is a short statement, and in it the royalfamily said they were saddened to learn exactly how "challenging" the couple had found life as working royals. it doesn't address all the allegations that were made. far from it. but it does point to the most damaging claim made by the duchess, "the issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," says the statement. it goes on to say that "while some recollections may vary," it adds, "they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately." it concludes with the message that harry, meghan and archie will always be much loved family members. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell is with us. as we say it is a short statement, nick, but there are clues as to the thinking behind palace gates. i thinking behind palace gates. i thinking behind palace gates. i think this is a very much a statement by and from queen elizabeth. we know that she uses language — elizabeth. we know that she uses language very precisely. this statement isjust 61 words, but it's a kind _ statement isjust 61 words, but it's a kind of— statement isjust 61 words, but it's a kind of infusion of her two roles, as the _ a kind of infusion of her two roles, as the head — a kind of infusion of her two roles, as the head of state and as a grandmother. he could been very much more combative, they could've pushed back much— more combative, they could've pushed back much more it's the sussex narrative, — back much more it's the sussex narrative, but they clearly do not 20 world — narrative, but they clearly do not 20 world words, so i think, yes, this statement is conciliatory, it is reaching _ this statement is conciliatory, it is reaching out to them, it is empathetic, but there isjustice gentle — empathetic, but there isjustice gentle pushback, this phrase while some _ gentle pushback, this phrase while some recollections may vary ——j gentle pushback, this phrase while some recollections may vary —— j do not want _ some recollections may vary —— j do not want a — some recollections may vary —— j do not want a war of words. you can be sure _ not want a war of words. you can be sure that _ not want a war of words. you can be sure that is — not want a war of words. you can be sure that is putting it mildly. recollections vary considerably for some _ recollections vary considerably for some their issues, procedurally that of race, _ some their issues, procedurally that of race, concerning, but above all they— of race, concerning, but above all they now — of race, concerning, but above all they now want a deal as family, deal with his _ they now want a deal as family, deal with his in _ they now want a deal as family, deal with his in that way. it is they now want a deal as family, deal with his in that way.— with his in that way. it is a good word ou with his in that way. it is a good word you use. _ with his in that way. it is a good word you use, fuse, _ with his in that way. it is a good word you use, fuse, it - with his in that way. it is a good word you use, fuse, it is - with his in that way. it is a good word you use, fuse, it is an - word you use, fuse, it is an institution and she is the head of state. if institution and she is the head of state. . , institution and she is the head of state. ., , , , ., state. if family diffuse and riven, and it is because _ state. if family diffuse and riven, and it is because of _ state. if family diffuse and riven, and it is because of the - state. if family diffuse and riven, i and it is because of the seriousness of the _ and it is because of the seriousness of the rift _ and it is because of the seriousness of the rift they want time to do with— of the rift they want time to do with this — of the rift they want time to do with this. we are talking my father and son, _ with this. we are talking my father and son, brotherand brother, and i'm and son, brotherand brother, and i'm sure _ and son, brotherand brother, and i'm sure it— and son, brotherand brother, and i'm sure it has been painful for the royal— i'm sure it has been painful for the royal family— i'm sure it has been painful for the royal family here in london as it has royal family herein london as it has clearly— royal family here in london as it has clearly been for harry and meghah— has clearly been for harry and meghan commanded us why they feel and why— meghan commanded us why they feel and why the queen feels this is a matter— and why the queen feels this is a matter that should be dealt with within— matter that should be dealt with within the families. the officials look at — within the families. the officials look at the suggestion that she cried _ look at the suggestion that she cried out— look at the suggestion that she cried out for help and was ignored. that is— cried out for help and was ignored. that is one — cried out for help and was ignored. that is one part of this, but their family— that is one part of this, but their family issues, and able wish to deal with those — family issues, and able wish to deal with those. . ~ ., family issues, and able wish to deal with those. . ,, ., , , with those. nick, here on this side ofthe with those. nick, here on this side of the pond. _ with those. nick, here on this side of the pond, people _ with those. nick, here on this side of the pond, people are _ with those. nick, here on this side of the pond, people are asking, i with those. nick, here on this side i of the pond, people are asking, what is the follow—up for the royal family and the institution itself? what do you think? —— the fallout. the british royal family, what do you think? —— the fallout. the british royalfamily, it works the british royal family, it works best when— the british royal family, it works best when it is a symbol of cohesioh~ _ best when it is a symbol of cohesion. what really is unhelpful to the _ cohesion. what really is unhelpful to the monarchy is when members of the royal— to the monarchy is when members of the royal family are seen as divisive _ the royal family are seen as divisive or represent a divisive issue — divisive or represent a divisive issue coming clearly people are absolutely split on this stuff some people _ absolutely split on this stuff some people are speaking out and up for megharr— people are speaking out and up for meghan and harry, the people feel they should rally around the queen and that— they should rally around the queen and that meghan and harry are being oversensitive and that meghan perhaps— oversensitive and that meghan perhaps was never really serious about _ perhaps was never really serious aboutjoining the british royal family— aboutjoining the british royal family and doing the hard work that can be _ family and doing the hard work that can be involved in that.— can be involved in that. nicholas witchell, thank _ can be involved in that. nicholas witchell, thank you _ can be involved in that. nicholas witchell, thank you very - can be involved in that. nicholas witchell, thank you very much i can be involved in that. nicholas - witchell, thank you very much indeed for that. one in six britons watched that interview with the duke and duchess of sussex last night here in the uk. but this was an interview syndicated around the world. and many of those viewers are from the commonwealth — the voluntary association of 5a independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under british rule. winnie nyandiga was one of those viewers. she is the vice chair of the commonwealth students association and joins us now from migori in kenya. thank you so much for staying up late for us, winnie. tell us, what was the reaction there with commonwealth students with this interview with harry and meghan? thank you so much. young people, allow— thank you so much. young people, allow me _ thank you so much. young people, allow me notjust thank you so much. young people, allow me not just to speak on behalf of students, because by and large i represent _ of students, because by and large i represent young people across the commonwealth and even across the couhtry_ commonwealth and even across the couhtry ih _ commonwealth and even across the country in kenya, so young people, the progressive digital natives, saw this interview as helping us to expose — this interview as helping us to expose on a global stage, shine a li-ht expose on a global stage, shine a light on— expose on a global stage, shine a light on racism in the uk. and this, we have _ light on racism in the uk. and this, we have statistics to back this up. lookihg _ we have statistics to back this up. lookihg at — we have statistics to back this up. looking at how their own family has reacted _ looking at how their own family has reacted ahd — looking at how their own family has reacted and responded to this, and even _ reacted and responded to this, and even the _ reacted and responded to this, and even the notion from what meghan said that _ even the notion from what meghan said that there was nothing, no protection, there was no support on the alleged — protection, there was no support on the alleged racism within the palace itself so _ the alleged racism within the palace itself so the issue of racism coming up itself so the issue of racism coming up at _ itself so the issue of racism coming up at a _ itself so the issue of racism coming up at a point where the wounds from black— up at a point where the wounds from black lives _ up at a point where the wounds from black lives matter are still very fresh. — black lives matter are still very fresh. it — black lives matter are still very fresh. it is— black lives matter are still very fresh, it is our has elicited conversations about young people on the conversations of racism. it is also _ the conversations of racism. it is also looking at mental health, a conversation that is still very difficult _ conversation that is still very difficult and still very uncomfortable even among ourselves stops and _ uncomfortable even among ourselves stops and for young people who are struggling _ stops and for young people who are struggling with mental health, they are empathising and supervising. —— sympathising for some —— sympathising. unfortunately for some _ —— sympathising. unfortunately for some of— —— sympathising. unfortunately for some of them, it is close to their cause _ some of them, it is close to their cause we — some of them, it is close to their cause. we were hopeful on the idea of modernisation and embracing multicultural future but now it still remains as an illusion. those are some — still remains as an illusion. those are some of— still remains as an illusion. those are some of the reactions from the young _ are some of the reactions from the young people in kenya. find, are some of the reactions from the young people in kenya. and, winnie, if we talk specifically _ young people in kenya. and, winnie, if we talk specifically about _ young people in kenya. and, winnie, if we talk specifically about the - if we talk specifically about the commonwealth, the modern, north was born in 1949. the queen is central to that organisation. does this interview and the criticism of the royal family affect your view of the commonwealth? yes royal family affect your view of the commonwealth?— commonwealth? yes and also no, because i understand _ commonwealth? yes and also no, because i understand that - commonwealth? yes and also no, because i understand that the - commonwealth? yes and also no, | because i understand that the royal family— because i understand that the royal family is— because i understand that the royal family is an institution in the queen, _ family is an institution in the queen, apart from being the leader of the _ queen, apart from being the leader of the royal family, she is also the leader— of the royal family, she is also the leader of— of the royal family, she is also the leader of the commonwealth, so, yes, it has— leader of the commonwealth, so, yes, it has changed our view stop we are disappointed with all the allegations and all this conversations, but we are hopeful. -- it _ conversations, but we are hopeful. -- it has— conversations, but we are hopeful. —— it has changed our view. we want to understand — —— it has changed our view. we want to understand and recognise and acknowledge that the commonwealth constitutes 52 countries that are equally — constitutes 52 countries that are equally important, so we want to be hopeful— equally important, so we want to be hopeful and we want to draw a line between _ hopeful and we want to draw a line between the uk and the commonwealth couhtries _ between the uk and the commonwealth countries. yeah. but, between the uk and the commonwealth countries. yeah.— countries. yeah. but, winnie, would ou acce -t countries. yeah. but, winnie, would you accept the _ countries. yeah. but, winnie, would you accept the queen _ countries. yeah. but, winnie, would you accept the queen has _ countries. yeah. but, winnie, would you accept the queen has worked i you accept the queen has worked incredible he hard to keep the commonwealth together and to make it a family of nations, and should we in that respect take into account our experiences of the work she has done? does that not in any way matter or does it all go out of the window because of something that one person has said in a very controversial interview? no, it does not, and controversial interview? no, it does not. and that _ is not what i want to come out. it does _ is not what i want to come out. it does not — is not what i want to come out. it does not at — is not what i want to come out. it does not at all. yes, the queen has worked _ does not at all. yes, the queen has worked very— does not at all. yes, the queen has worked very hard to them but even as the commonwealth... we cannot talk about— the commonwealth... we cannot talk about the _ the commonwealth... we cannot talk about the commonwealth without acknowledging our colonial past, so we want _ acknowledging our colonial past, so we want to— acknowledging our colonial past, so we want to appreciate: or rather, i appreciate what the queen— or rather, i appreciate what the queen has— or rather, i appreciate what the queen has done, but while i want... there _ queen has done, but while i want... there is— queen has done, but while i want... there is a _ queen has done, but while i want... there is a need for the commonwealth to evolve _ there is a need for the commonwealth to evolve as— there is a need for the commonwealth to evolve as well eight even have our leadership be on a rotational basis~ _ our leadership be on a rotational basis the — our leadership be on a rotational basis. the games in which he is an over— basis. the games in which he is an over the _ basis. the games in which he is an over the years... yet. the basis. the games in which he is an over the years. .. yet.— over the years... yet. the point i am making _ over the years... yet. the point i am making is— over the years... yet. the point i am making is that _ over the years... yet. the point i am making is that when - over the years... yet. the point i am making is that when you - over the years... yet. the point i | am making is that when you refer over the years... yet. the point i i am making is that when you refer to the statement that the family put out tonight, the interpretation of what happened very within the family, so they obviously don't see it the way that meghan saw it, the point i am making is that when you look in the round and with the queen has done in pulling nations together, pulling diverse communities together, the amount of travelling she has done around the commonwealth over the years, that must also count for something in the commonwealth, and also prince charles. , . ., , ., ., charles. yes, which it does no one is underplaying — charles. yes, which it does no one is underplaying that _ charles. yes, which it does no one is underplaying that and _ charles. yes, which it does no one is underplaying that and we - charles. yes, which it does no one is underplaying that and we are i charles. yes, which it does no one | is underplaying that and we are not tribute _ is underplaying that and we are not tribute underplay the efforts they have put— tribute underplay the efforts they have put to put the coming together. that is _ have put to put the coming together. that is why _ have put to put the coming together. that is why am saying inasmuch as there _ that is why am saying inasmuch as there is— that is why am saying inasmuch as there is this — that is why am saying inasmuch as there is this conversation that has been _ there is this conversation that has been elicited by the interview harry and meghan had with oprah winfrey, we need _ and meghan had with oprah winfrey, we need to— and meghan had with oprah winfrey, we need to understand the entire commonwealth is much more than the uk and _ commonwealth is much more than the uk and that— commonwealth is much more than the uk and that is what i am try to get across, _ uk and that is what i am try to get across, and — uk and that is what i am try to get across, and all these countries have an equal— across, and all these countries have an equal say— across, and all these countries have an equal say and are equally important. we have the values that bring _ important. we have the values that bring the _ important. we have the values that bring the commonwealth together, we are grounded on and where we are on, so we— are grounded on and where we are on, so we need _ are grounded on and where we are on, so we need to— are grounded on and where we are on, so we need to separate the two, because — so we need to separate the two, because that is happening in the uk and, because that is happening in the uk and. yes, _ because that is happening in the uk and. yes, i— because that is happening in the uk and, yes, i believe allthe because that is happening in the uk and, yes, i believe all the citizens in the _ and, yes, i believe all the citizens in the commonwealth are looking at the uk, _ in the commonwealth are looking at the uk, but — in the commonwealth are looking at the uk, but even if you want to be pragmatic— the uk, but even if you want to be pragmatic and draw the line, yes, the conversation cuts across. you look _ the conversation cuts across. you look at _ the conversation cuts across. you look at the — the conversation cuts across. you look at the issue of mental health, of a multicultural future being an illusion. — of a multicultural future being an illusion, yes, others are important, but the _ illusion, yes, others are important, but the uk — illusion, yes, others are important, but the uk and the commonwealth are totally— but the uk and the commonwealth are totally different things. the commonwealth is if the four countries, 54 countries coming together, _ countries, 54 countries coming together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love _ together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love to _ together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love to talk _ together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love to talk to _ together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love to talk to you - together, equal partners. absolutely for i would love to talk to you more i for i would love to talk to you more about it, winnie. you have got some great thoughts. thank