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LONDON, Dec. 1 (AP) — Allegations of racism at Buckingham Palace could cast a shadow over Prince William’s trip to the United States after campaigners said the palace needed to acknowledge a broader problem.
A black advocate for a domestic violence survivor sparked controversy on Wednesday after a senior member of the royal family questioned her parentage at a reception at the palace for people working to end violence against women. Overwhelming British media coverage of the issue on Thursday cast a pall over the prince’s long-awaited visit, which he hopes will underscore his environmental credentials and show that the monarchy remains relevant in a multicultural world.
Shortly after the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived in Boston for a three-day visit, a royal spokesman said racism “has no place in our society”, noting that the family members involved had resigned and offered “a Apologies for the harm caused.
But Mandurid, who witnessed the exchange, said she feared the response was an attempt to blame a person and avoid taking responsibility for the palace’s culture. She said the latest incident confirmed allegations made last year by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, that a member of the royal family asked about the color of her unborn baby’s skin when she was pregnant with her first child. Prince Harry’s wife Meghan is biracial.
“I would like to see the entire royal family acknowledge that institutional racism is part of the culture and I would like to see them address this head-on…” Women’s Equality Party leader Reid told Sky News. “I think what we need is something bigger and more substantial.”
When Netflix released the first official trailer for “Harry and Meghan” on Thursday, the bets were clear, a behind-the-scenes docu-series that was sure to include more critique of the monarchy. Harry and Meghan resigned from royal duties almost three years ago, citing racist attitudes in the British media. Since moving to Southern California, they have expressed their concerns about the royal family in a series of media interviews.
The 1-minute, 12-second trailer opens with a tender scene of the happy couple and ends with Meghan appearing to dry her tears with her hands, while Harry looks pained with his head thrown back.
“No one can see what’s going on behind closed doors,” Harry said. “I have to do everything in my power to protect my family.”
Concerns about racism at Buckingham Palace have intensified following a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, an east London refuge for African and Caribbean women, said she had been touched by the exchange with William’s godmother Susan Hussey, 83. Shock. Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Fulani said the conversation started when Hussey reached out and pushed her hair out of the way to read Fulani’s name tag.
“I don’t know who you are, but whoever you are, it’s not right to put your hands in my hair,” she told the BBC.
Hussey then asked over and over where she was from, Fulani said. When she said she was from east London, the older woman replied: “No, what part of Africa are you from?”
Fulani said what she experienced was racism, regardless of Hussey’s age or how uncomfortable others were with hearing the term.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that Hersey had apologized for the “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments”.
Writer and playwright Bonnie Greer said part of the problem was that many royals were older and “living in a bubble”, cut off from wider British society. She told TIME radio it was time to admit their service to the Crown was over.
“It’s really unacceptable and an example of how better his family can modernize and get it done quickly,” she said.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Prince and Princess of Wales. The trip marks a major moment for William and Kate – the couple’s first visit to the US in eight years and their first overseas visit since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales following the Queen’s death. President Biden plans to meet with the couple during their stay.
The highlight of the three-day trip to Boston will be Friday, when William will host the Earthshot Awards, which will feature entertainers including Billie Eilish.
But the trip will also include visits to anti-poverty projects, child development researchers and local flood defenses.
The visit comes less than three months after the death of Elizabeth, whose personal popularity stifled criticism of the royal family during her 70-year reign. William’s father, King Charles III, has made it clear that his monarchy will be streamlined, with less pomp and ceremony than its predecessors.
William and Kate arrived at Boston’s Logan International Airport Wednesday, where they were greeted by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karin Polito. The couple later attended a Boston Celtics basketball game.
After landing, William thanked local residents for their “many tributes to the late Queen”, noting that his grandmother recalled her bicentennial visit to Boston in 1976 with “very fondness”. (Associated Press)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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