Michelle Obama reacts to Meghan Markle’s racism claims

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Former first lady Michelle Obama said it "wasn’t a complete surprise" to hear Meghan Markle detail alleged racism within the British royal family.

Obama was asked about Markle and Prince Harry’s bombshell sit-down with Oprah Winfrey in an interview with NBC’s "TODAY" show that is scheduled to air Tuesday.

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Markle, 39, who is biracial, told Winfrey that someone in the royal family expressed "concerns" to Harry, 36, about "how dark" their son Archie’s skin would be.

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Co-host Jenna Bush Hager said it was "heartbreaking" to hear Markle describe the conversation, adding, "she felt like she was in her own family — her own family thought differently of her."

Obama replied, "As I said before, race isn’t a new construct in this world for people of color, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise to hear her feelings and to have them articulated."

"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."

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In another interview published Monday, Obama, 57, said she hoped the couple would find a way to reconcile with the royal family.

"My hope is that, when I think about what they’re going through, I think about the importance of family, and I just pray that there is forgiveness, and there is clarity and love and resolve at some point in time," she told "Access Hollywood."

Obama is a longtime supporter of Markle, calling her "my friend" and "a thoughtful leader" in an Instagram post in 2019.