Royals get a ‘racist’ pack

– Police are investigating a “racist hate crime” after a package containing a “non-suspicious” substance was sent to a London palace used by senior members of the British royal family.

“Police are investigating after a package containing a substance was delivered to St James’s Palace on Monday,” the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday. The substance was tested and found to not be suspicious, it added.

“Officers are also investigating an allegation of malicious communications which relates to the same package, and it is being treated as a racist hate crime,” said police.

The police added that counter-terrorism officers were involved in the investigation, and no arrests had been made.

The royal family declined to comment on the police report.

St James’s Palace contains state apartments and offices used by Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and other royals.

Prince Charles’ official London residence, Clarence House, is next to the palace, while his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, live at Kensington Palace, about 1.5km from St James’s Palace.

The London Evening Standard reported that the package contained white powder and was addressed to Prince Harry’s US fiancée, Meghan Markle, at Kensington Palace.

The police investigation follows a similar one after a package containing harmless white powder was delivered to an office in the British parliament in central London on February 13.

Unconfirmed British media reports said that package was addressed to Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Police did not say if they believe the two incidents are linked. – dpa