The Prince of Wales wanted to respond point-by-point to statements in Meghan and Harry's interview, it has reportedly been claimed.
In the aftermath of the explosive sit-down chat with Oprah Winfrey Prince Charles is said to have pushed for a detailed rebuttal.
The Queen, who wanted a short and simple statement, won out however.
A source today told The Sun : "There were different reactions when the palace was working out what to do.
"One, to take the Queen's view, to issue the quiet statement saying we are unhappy to hear they were unhappy.
"But Prince Charles wanted to rebut, point by point, the claims that had been made."
The source claimed the royal family did not want to get involved in a "tit for tat" rebuttal.
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The Queen's statement simply said: “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.
"While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved family members.”
Prince Charles is yet to comment publicly about the interview.
The Prince of Wales was in north west London on Tuesday - the day after ITV aired the interview in the UK.
As Charles left following a visit to a pop-up vaccine clinic in a London church, a reporter asked, "Sir, what did you think of the interview?"
After turning to see who had called out, he chuckled and carried on walking.
A friend of the prince told Vanity Fair that Charles has not watched the interview and has no plans to do so.
“He will not be drawn into it, but it’s fair to say he is surprised and very disappointed by what has been said," they told the publication.
"He didn’t watch the interview, but of course he’s heard what has been said. He feels let down by them both."
While the Queen escaped any criticism in the interview, Charles came in for a bit of a bashing.
Harry said he stopped taking his calls as the couple worked on their exit plan.
He also said that he felt “let down” by his father, who he said had also been treated badly by the media in the past.
Clarence House has been contacted for comment.
