White House praises Duchess of Sussex's 'courage' for sharing struggles in Oprah interview

The White House has praised the Duchess of Sussex's "courage" for sharing her "struggles with mental health".

Officials declined to confirm whether President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden, who has a long friendship with the Duke of Sussex, watched the interview live.

But they said "many" in the White House had watched it, and that the US president "believes" it is courageous for people to tell their personal story.

The White House said the US continued to have a "strong relationship" with the British people, and the UK government.

But in public comments a senior official clearly backed the Duchess for speaking to Oprah Winfrey about how her time in the Royal family had led to her having suicidal thoughts.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, was asked if Joe and Jill Biden had watched the interview, and what their reaction was, in particular to "the racism they [the Duke and Duchess] felt."

Ms Psaki said: "Let me first say, obviously, many of us caught the interview, as many Americans did, and around the world.

"Meghan Markle is a private citizen and so is Harry at this point.

"For anyone to come forward and speak about their own struggles with mental health, and tell their own personal story, that takes courage.

"And that's certainly something the president believes."

"He's talked about the importance of investing in these areas that they're [the Duke and Duchess] committed to in the future as well.

Ms Psaki went on: "We aren't going to provide additional commentary from here on behalf of the president, or others, given these are private citizens sharing their own story and their own struggles.

"And let me just reiterate we have a strong and abiding relationship with the British people, and a special partnership with the government of the UK on a range of issues, and that will continue."

The Duke's friendship with Jill Biden began eight years ago and was cemented through their shared support for the Invictus Games, and the Warrior Games in the US.

When he was vice president Joe Biden once joked: "Everywhere Prince Harry went, he had this blonde woman on his arm. The vice-president’s wife! I’m a little worried here, you know what I mean?"