Cambridges’ diversity focus

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (above) have pledged to focus on improving diversity within their Royal Foundation charity board.

The foundation’s annual report said formal targets for diversity had not previously been set, but would be monitored and reported on, according to the Telegraph.

The annual report added that diversity has always been considered in trustee recruitment. Improving this has been a particular focus for the board and governance and nominations committee in 2020.

The 10-strong board of the Royal Foundation, as well as the senior management team, is overwhelmingly white.

The move follows the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from the UK amid repeated allegations of racism, the Telegraph report said. Prince Harry has said racism was a “large part” of why the couple left Britain.

In June, Buckingham Palace admitted it was failing in its efforts to improve diversity as it published staffing figures for the first time since the Sussexes’ allegations.

The Sovereign Grant report revealed that 8.5 per cent of employees at the palace are from an ethnic minority background. Aides said they hoped to increase that figure to 10 per cent by the end of next year.

Clarence House revealed that eight per cent of its staff were from ethnic minority backgrounds. Kensington Palace did not publish its figures.

About 13 per cent of the British population is from a minority ethnic background.