Thomas Markle defended the royal family from racism claims, saying concerns over Archie's skin color could have just been 'a dumb question'

• Thomas Markle Sr. has defended the UK royal family over claims of racism toward Meghan Markle.
• He said "concerns" over his grandson Archie's skin color could just have been "a dumb question."
• He said he didn't think the UK was racist but added: "Los Angeles is racist. California is racist."

Thomas Markle Sr. said he didn't think the UK or the British royal family was racist, arguing that apparent "concerns" over his grandson Archie's skin color could just have been "a dumb question."

The Duchess of Sussex's father was speaking on "Good Morning Britain" following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, which first aired Sunday night in the US on CBS.

One of the most shocking claims in the interview was that at least one member of the British royal family had "concerns and conversations" while she was pregnant with Archie about how dark her child's skin would be.

Neither Harry nor Meghan would say who made the comment, but Winfrey later said the Duke of Sussex had told her it wasn't the Queen or Prince Philip.

Speaking with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Tuesday morning, the elder Markle, who has an estranged relationship with Meghan, downplayed the comments.

"I'm guessing and hoping it's just a dumb question from somebody - it could just be that simple," he said. "It could be somebody asked a stupid question rather than being a total racist."

He later added: "It could have been just the stupid question from someone, someone who doesn't understand that, a Black person marries a white person, what you get, you get a baby, that's what you got. You got a baby."

"Maybe we're getting a little too political," he said.

-Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 9, 2021

A running theme throughout the couple's interview with Winfrey was that racist treatment, particularly from the British tabloids, helped drive Harry and Meghan to step back from royal life.

Harry said racism was "a large part" of their decision to leave the UK.

Thomas Markle, however, defended the royal family, saying he did not think either they or the UK was racist.

"I have great respect for the royals, and I don't think the British royal family is racist at all," he said. "I don't think the British are racist. I think Los Angeles is racist. California is racist, but I don't think the Brits are."

Thomas said that he would always love his daughter and that now, with his living only 70 miles away from the couple in Rosarito, Mexico, he would love to meet his grandson Archie.

He said, however, that he hadn't spoken with his daughter since before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.

Representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle declined to comment on Thomas Markle's interview.