Biracial royal ‘means nothing’
A biography of Britain’s newest royal, Meghan Markle, appeared on the monarchy’s official website within hours of her marrying Queen Elizabeth’s grandson Prince Harry on Saturday, with a single quote: “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist.”
To royal watchers, it represented a statement of intent and a clear demonstration of a new, modern path the 1 000-yearold British monarchy will be treading as it seeks to remain relevant in a fast-changing political climate exemplified by Brexit.
“Just 20 years ago, the monarchy seemed to be struggling for its very survival,” said the Daily Mail newspaper, referring to the Windsors’ grimmest hours after the death of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, in a Paris car crash in 1997 when the family was heavily criticised for seeming not to care.
“How different the picture is today. Prince Harry’s wedding to the thoroughly modern actress Meghan Markle did more than put the seal on a fairy-tale romance. It symbolised the monarchy’s evolution into a contemporary institution at ease with itself, outward looking and fit for the 21st century.”
The wedding of Harry and Meghan, who has an African-American mother and a white father, has been widely hailed as a union of tradition and modernity and a breakthrough in race relations. A passionate address by Michael Curry, the first black head of the Episcopal Church in the US, which electrified Windsor Castle’s 15th century St George’s Chapel, has been pored over for its symbolism.
Now, the royal biography of Meghan, the new Duchess of Sussex, has been seen as showing another departure from the usual stuffy image of the monarchy. “From a young age, the duchess had a keen awareness of social issues and actively participated in charitable work,” it says. “Aged 11 she successfully campaigned for a company to alter their television advert using sexist language to sell washing-up liquid.”
Commentators said it indicated the royal family, which traditionally steers clear of making overtly political statements, had given its blessing to her to speak out on issues such as feminism. “It’s sure changed the royal family,” historian and constitutional expert David Starkey wrote in the Sun newspaper of the marriage. “Meghan and Harry are the model modern couple: mature, biracial, bicultural, international, do-gooding and media-savvy.” –