‘Racist’ brooch stirs up a royal storm at palace annual lunch
PRINCESS Michael of Kent apologised for causing offence by wearing a “racist” Blackamoor brooch to the Queen’s Christmas lunch.
The Princess, wife of Prince Michael, the Queen’s cousin, wore the jewellery at the Buckingham Palace event, notable this year for the presence of Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s fiancée.
The Princess’s brooch appeared to depict the bust of a black person with an opulent gold crown, embellished with purple crystals. Last night, a spokesman said: “Princess Michael is very sorry and distressed that it has caused offence.” It is understood the brooch was a gift and has been worn by the Princess many times before.
It provoked widespread criticism online yesterday, but a source said there was “no malice at all” behind the choice of jewellery.
Blackamoor jewellery, often inspired by works from early modern Venice, was once considered a tribute to “exotic” Africans. Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor had similar brooches. But it is now considered insensitive, with connotations of colonialism.