Featured Stories

By Beth Stibal |

Michelle Obama Schools Meghan Markle

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is offering words of wisdom to Meghan Markle following her recent tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey about the British royal family.
Obama said she hoped that apologies will be made because, “family is everything.” After marrying Markle, Prince Harry became disconnected from his family by relocating to Los Angeles where his wife is also estranged from her family.

Obama also had strong words about the reality of public service. She said “public service can be a double edged sword” adding that Meghan Markle and others in public service should remember it’s about those being served, not about the public servant.

“Public service, it’s a bright, sharp, hot spotlight, and most people don’t understand it, and nor should they,” Obama said. “The thing that I always keep in mind is that none of this is about us in public service. It’s about the people that we serve. I always try to push the light back out and focus it on the folks that we are actually here to serve.”

Meghan, who is half Black, had told Winfrey that, prior to the birth of her son, Archie, there were “concerns and conversations” among members of the royal family about how dark his skin might be.

Obama pointed out that race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings but, “I think the thing that I hope for, and the thing I think about, is that this, first and foremost, is a family. I pray for forgiveness and healing for them so that they can use this as a teachable moment for us all.”