Meghan’s race & mental health claims rock the nation
Radio presenter Vanessa Feltz, 59, tells Closer, “If Meghan feels that she was subject to racism, then it’s not for us to disagree – only she knows how she felt. I’m a Jewish woman and I would not appreciate it if I said I had been subject to antisemitism and somebody else tried to tell me I hadn’t.”
Vanessa – who was previously married to a white doctor, Michael Kurer – claims one TV presenter once asked her, “How do you get all these big black boyfriends?”, which she found upsetting. She adds, “I’ve never chosen or been chosen by a boyfriend based on the colour of their skin or their ethnicity, only if I loved them and they loved me. It’s that kind of comment that is distressing.
“When I first was in a relationship with Ben, we went on a TV talk show and, without us knowing beforehand, they centered it on, ‘Can mixed relationships work?’ So that was quite surprising. But we have usually been extremely politely and kindly treated by everybody.”
UNPLEASANT
A day after the Sussexes’ interview, Oprah said Harry – who has been criticised in the past for wearing a “fancy dress” Nazi uniform and using a derogatory word to describe his Pakistani friend while training in the Army – had asked her to make it clear the alleged racist remark did not come from the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.
Vanessa says she also doesn’t believe it came from a younger generation royal, such as Prince William or Kate, and says, “I think it’s a pretty unpleasant person from an older generation – possibly unconsciously racist, possibly overtly racist – but definitely horrible, rude and obnoxious. Because who on earth would ask an expectant mother or father how dark their baby’s skin is going to be?”
Meghan’s revelations
about her ill mental health as a working royal – and that she contemplated suicide but received no help – also shocked fans.
And Vanessa, who argues that Piers Morgan’s outburst about not believing a word she said “left many people extremely upset and hurt,” insists she “feels sorry” for the Sussexes after hearing their revelations.
She adds, “As a TV and radio host, I’ve had calls from several listeners who had attempted suicide and had not told their husband or mother. That’s because they were despairing and feeling low and worthless, so it’s brave that Meghan is speaking out about her own struggles.
DEVASTATING
“Hearing her say she was suicidal is absolutely devastating. There is still a stigma attached to mental health of all kinds, and when someone as high-profile and as well regarded as the Duchess of Sussex speaks out, that’s a good thing.
“While I don’t understand why she phoned HR rather than her GP, a friend or somebody at a charity, it is a shocking thing that they didn’t offer help. You could imagine Meghan felt it was a very clinical, cold atmosphere where everybody sticks to their role and nobody behaves like a human being, because that’s not a human way to act.
“I feel sorry for them more now after hearing their side. It is a lesson that, although someone may appear to have absolutely everything that anyone on earth could want – money, a mansion, glamour, love, a baby, another one on the way – they can still feel pretty unhappy and isolated.”
● If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can phone the Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123