by Bethany Rielly

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the “rotten institution” at Buckingham Palace to go once and for all after allegations of racism were disclosed by the Duchess of Sussex.

In an interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey on Sunday night, Meghan Markle claimed that when she was pregnant with Archie, an unnamed member of the royal family raised “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Anti-monarchy group Republic’s chief executive Graham Smith said the allegation emboldens calls to abolish the monarchy. 

“Whether for the sake of Britain or for the sake of the younger royals, this rotten institution needs to go,” he said. 

Mr Smith said that the unprecedented interview “only served to highlight what a lot of people have known for years: the monarchy is rotten to the core and does not reflect British values.”

During the interview, Ms Markle said that there had been “several conversations” with Harry about their unborn child’s skin tone and “what that would mean or look like.”

Asked whether there were concerns that her child would be “too brown” and that would be a problem, Ms Markle said: “If that is the assumption you are making, that is a pretty safe one.”

However Ms Markle and Harry Windsor both refused to give more details about who made the comments when pressed by Ms Winfrey. 

Today Labour called for an investigation into allegations of racism at the Palace. Speaking to Sky News, shadow education secretary Kate Green said that the claims were “really distressing, shocking.”

She said: “There is never any excuse in any circumstances for racism and I think it is important that action is taken to investigate what are really shocking allegations.”

Mr Smith said that there needs to be “honesty” in the debate on the monarchy which he said has been “sorely” lacking until now. 

“Honesty about the democratic alternative, honesty about royal corruption, honesty about costs, tourism and every other bit of nonsense trotted out by royalists for years,” he continued. 

“Britain is better than this. We deserve better than this. The monarchy will always be part of our history. It mustn’t be part of our future.”