Jacob Rees-Mogg defends the Queen after Harry and Meghan interview

Jacob Rees-Mogg has launched a staunch defence of the Queen and denied that Harry and Meghan’s dramatic interview has damaged the monarchy.

The Commons leader waded into the row over the bombshell move from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, insisting ‘sensible’ people still support the Royal Family regardless of what ‘chat show hosts in the US’ are told.

In his regular MoggCast for the ConservativeHome website, Mr Rees-Mogg also dismissed the idea that the couple’s son Archie had been denied a title, saying his treatment was ‘perfectly normal’.

The remarks came despite Boris Johnson determinedly avoiding giving his view on the extraordinary row sparked by the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey.   

Downing Street revealed yesterday that the PM has finally watched the programme – but his spokesman refused to say what he thought of it.

Climate minister Lord Goldsmith has delivered the most direct response so far, tweeting that Harry was ‘blowing up his family’. 

Mr Rees-Mogg admitted he ‘didn’t see the interview’, but insisted:  ‘I don’t think it does any damage to the Royal Family or the monarch.’ 

Jacob Rees-Mogg has launched a staunch defence of the Queen and denied that Harry and Meghan’s dramatic interview has damaged the monarchy

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey will be the 'last word' on them quitting as senior royals

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have insisted their interview with Oprah Winfrey will be the ‘last word’ on them quitting as senior royals 

An official statement was released on behalf of The Queen on Tuesday evening, following the bombshell interview, which aired in the UK on Monday night

An official statement was released on behalf of The Queen on Tuesday evening, following the bombshell interview, which aired in the UK on Monday night

He said: ‘Her Majesty is held in enormous affection. 

‘She has been a model of duty since she made that statement in South Africa aged 21 about how her whole life, whether it be long or short, would be spent in the service of the whole imperial family. 

‘That is what she has done. She has done her duty. I think she is loved across her realms for that. 

‘And I don’t think interviews with chat show hosts in the United States makes a great deal of difference to that.’

Mr Rees-Mogg said that under rules set out by George V in 1917 the only great-grandchild of a monarch could be referred to as a Royal Highness. 

He said: ‘Their son has a title. He is Lord Dumbarton, Earl of Dumbarton – he is entitled to use his father’s subsidiary title if he so chooses. 

‘And his sister as I understand it is coming along the way, will be Lady Christian Name Mountbatten-Windsor. 

‘And that is a perfectly normal constitutional process in line with what has always been the case before. 

He said ‘nothing constitutional has happened’ and that ‘most sensible people in this country want the monarchy to continue’. 

Buckingham Palace finally responded to the interview last night in a statement released on behalf of the Queen.

Itsaid: ‘The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

‘The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.

The Prime Minister(pictured in Downing Street last night) has been avoiding commenting on the interview

The Prime Minister(pictured in Downing Street last night) has been avoiding commenting on the interview

Climate minister Lord Goldsmith - a close ally of Carrie Symonds - waded into the raging controversy earlier this week, tweeting that 'Harry is blowing up his family'

Climate minister Lord Goldsmith – a close ally of Carrie Symonds – waded into the raging controversy earlier this week, tweeting that ‘Harry is blowing up his family’

‘Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members.’

At a press conference on Monday night, Mr Johnson then flatly refused to take sides, merely stating his ‘admiration’ for the Queen.  

The premier’s spokesman disclosed this afternoon that Mr Johnson has now watched the Oprah Winfrey interview, which aired in full on ITV last night. 

‘He did but you have the PM’s words from the press conference last night and I won’t be adding any further to what he said,’ he said.

The spokesman refused to be drawn whether Mr Johnson agreed with climate minister Lord Goldsmith’s tweet that Harry was ‘blowing up his family’.

Asked if the minister was speaking for the Government, the spokesman said: ‘All I can do is echo what the Prime Minister said in the press conference last night.’

No10 also dodged questions on the White House’s response to the interview, whether it may affect the UK’s reputation around the world, and whether the nation has a duty of care to the monarchy.