Royal revelations

WHEN Meghan Markle married into the British royal family in 2018, many saw it as a moment of representation and inclusiveness.

The union between Markle, who is from a mixed-race background, and Prince Harry was widely seen as symbolising positive change for the British monarchy.

Fast forward to 2021, and relations have undoubtedly soured as the Sussexes accused the royal family of racism in an interview. According to the duchess, an unnamed member of the family raised questions about the colour of the couple’s then unborn son’s skin. Any concerns she raised were shut down or ignored, she said.

Harry blamed the level of racism his wife endured as a major factor as to why the couple left the UK.

Irrespective of the accusations against the duchess of Sussex in parts of the tabloid media in the UK, it is hard to ignore the barrage of hatred she has endured.

Gauging from the reaction to the couple’s allegations, many will agree that racism and bias is still very much alive in British society. Though Buckingham Palace has expressed concern over the issues the couple raised, the debate about race and prejudice in Britain is far from over.

If a member of the royal family had to endure this, it is not hard to imagine what the reality is for millions of non-white people in western society today. The failure to address the issues raised by the Sussexes is a missed opportunity to show that a person’s race should not matter.