More than 11 million people in the UK watched that interview last night on ITV, and public opinion on the differences between the two camps and the issues raised is deeply divided.

Our home editor, Mark Eastern, assesses how damaging the couple's allegations could be in the longer term.

Exactly one year ago today, the queen attended the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, Harry and Meghan's last royal engagement.

It's always inspiring to be reminded of the diversity of the people and countries that make up our worldwide family, the queen said, speaking as head of the Commonwealth that day.

Such a blend of traditions serves to make a stronger, individually and collectively mhm.

But as the Royals gathered in the abbey, there were hints of tensions and troubles to come.

Over the course of 70 years, the queen has guided the monarchy from empire to black lives matter in the 21st century.

She represents a uniting figurehead for people of all cultures.

Accusations of racism at the heart of the royal family could represent an existential threat for this ancient institution.

Now, if you look at social media, you're seeing very, very young people, young influences young thinkers actually saying, Well, what is this institution?

Why does it exist?

You know, they're questioning things that I've not seen them question before.

Um, this is an anachronism in this day and age, and not just on the basis of race.

We're certainly seeing lots of young black people having that conversation, but also young white people, and the throne passes to King Edward, the eighth younger brother and his wife.

Today's crisis management at the palace contains echoes of the abdication crisis in 1936 when King Edward, the eighth, gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

Like Megan, she was an American divorcee, an outsider who felt shunned by the royal family.

The death of Princess Diana in 1997 also saw the Royals accused of failing to support a young woman who had invited into their gilded cage, seemingly unable to comprehend public anger at her treatment and grief at her loss.

Now the Royal PR department is once again firefighting accusations of a brand out of touch with contemporary attitudes and values.

It represents not just a symbol of historic oppression, but as we see with Harry and Megan, the continued residue of the discrimination and the racism that made British empire.

Yeah, a new YouGov poll suggests a generational divide.

Four times as many 18 to 24 year olds thought Harry and Meghan had been treated unfairly by the royal family.

Compared with the over 65 it suggests a looming challenge for the monarchy.

While Harry and Meghan praised the queen in their interview, Prince Charles was portrayed as unsupportive and distant.

Repairing the reputational damage will require a response that reaches across not just ethnicities, but generations.

Mark Eastern BBC News.