Racist Royals and Family Feuds

Racist Royals and Family Feuds

Families feud. We all know of family members that have a prolonged and bitter dispute, however, feuding families within the media garners a new kind of interest. Where there is money, power and influence there can also be very public altercations.

For example, the Gallahger brothers had a very public rivalry that culminated with the breaking apart of the popular band Oasis. Matt and Luke Goss, the twins from the popular 80’s boy band Bros famously feuded within the gaze of the media. Celebrity families like the Trumps and the Jacksons have fallen prey to this in-house fighting. However, when it involves brothers in the British Monarchy arguing over among other things, a black wife, there is an added dimension that involves us all.

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family. He is the younger son of King Charles III and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. He is fifth in the line of succession to the British throne. Both Harry and Megan have retained their titles despite not being working royals. They remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton, and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel. (Royal.UK) Such a prominent figure choosing a non white bride arguably is challenging the status quo of keeping the royal family white. 

Tensions between both William and Harry were made public in January 2020 when Prince Harry announced that he would be taking a step back from royal duties. Up until this point, many did not realise the rift which had developed between the brothers over the years since their mother’s death. Prince Harry claims he was ‘taking a step back’ because of the lack of support from the palace over the racist tabloid coverage of his wife, American actress Meghan Markle. Constant comparisons were also made to William’s wife Kate, which deliberately placed Megan Markle in a negative light. And then there was the famous racist tweet by Danny Baker. 

The tweet, which he later deleted but which has been circulated on social media, showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption: "Royal Baby leaves hospital".(BBC News)



And so when we hear of the non existent relationship between Harry and Prince William, on one hand it is not surprising, but on the other, Prince Harry (reminiscent of Princess Diana) does the ‘unforgivable’ and discusses in public a secret which throws new light onto the royal family. Harry has brought the age-old race row to the fore.

In his infamous book ‘Spare’ Prince Harry details accounts of a fight with Prince William about Mehgan Markle. He described Prince William pushing him to the ground which resulted in scrapes and bruises on his back. In fact, it is suggested that tensions between the brothers go back to birth and are tied up with being the spare heir. (Time.com)

The racist abuse that Meghan Markle suffered through the tabloids has been a point of contention. It can be argued that Prince Harry is suffering from racist abuse by proxy; through Meghan Markle and as they have children, it makes the sting particularly poignant. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey in the controversial 2021 interview that there had been discussions between Prince Harry and his family in which "concerns" were raised about "how dark" their then unborn son Archie's skin might be. It was undoubtedly implied that the royal family were racist. 

Since then however, Prince Harry has denied calling the royal family racist. (Royal Family) He claims that the word ‘racist’ was instead used by the tabloids. 

Many could suggest that this splitting of hairs is irrelevant, nevertheless, Prince Harry has essentially downgraded the claim that the royal family are racist to mere ‘curiosity.’ This ‘curiosity’ is reinforced by Lady Hussy’s racist questioning of Ngozi Fulani, which when brought to light, culminated in Lady Hussey’s resignation. Lady Hussey’s racist remarks - (Caroline Davies) has done nothing to extinguish the claims that the royal family is racist.

The idea that the institution of the Monarchy is not racist is ludicrous. The Royal family, an age-old institution, was at the forefront of slavery and of colonisation and have long been accused of ‘having historically benefited from the slave trade and the British empire.’ It was in 1952 that the now famous Englishman, commissioned by Elizabeth I, included Africans in his cargo. In 1564, Hawkins arranged another voyage, for which Elizabeth I funded a vessel. (British Monarchy's historical links to slavery)

Many of the structures with which modern society rests upon were built during the Empirical Age, making Britain structurally and institutionally racist.

‘In the UK, major institutions operate in ways that discriminate against Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people including children. This is what you might have heard of as systemic, structural or institutional racism.’ (How systemic racism affects young people in the UK 2020)

In an institution as old as the Monarchy with the links to slavery that they have it is more likely than not, that they have racist foundations which affect their ‘modern’ attitudes to race and culture. This, Prince Harry, is experiencing by proxy in a way he had not experienced before. 

Another point of contention is the Order of St Michael and St George Medal - awarded by the queen and can be seen wearing the badge herself. (The Queen's 'highly offensive' and 'racist' royal badge  - Insider)

Order Of St Michael And St George insignia Image

Many argue that this is an unfortunate misrepresentation of an angel and a devil. However, it is ironic that the angel is presented with white skin and the devil, clearly with black or dark skin. This is consistent with the argument that those with white skins were seen as good and those with darker skin were associated with evil. Black people today are still tarred with this same ‘misrepresentation’ or unconscious bias.

However, it does not have to be this way. Prince Harry has openly praised the Dutch royal family and the Norwegian royal family for their anti racism work and addressing unconscious bias. Prince Harry applauded Willem- Alexander, King of Netherlands and the King of Norway for leading by example. This highlights how our own monarchy has reacted to the racism within the tabloids targeting a member of the royal family by race.

During the conversation, which aired on the eve of the release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, the duke criticised the British press for its treatment of his wife Meghan Markle, while noting the steps the other monarchs have taken to condemn such behaviour in their respective countries. (Prince Harry praises Dutch and Norwegian royal families for standing against racism: ‘It is huge’ -  Ritschel Jan 2023)

The king of Norway has spoken out on the racism towards his future son-in-law, Durek Verrett, in a new statement, calling the abuse something the Norwegian Royal Family strongly opposes. 

“We are very pleased that The Princess has gotten engaged and want Durek Verrett to feel welcome in our family,” King Harald said. The monarch added that “the situation we as a family have faced recently has highlighted issues that are complex and that have many different aspects that we seek to take into account.” King Harald said: “We are also concerned about being able to live well together, despite inequality. The racist attitudes Durek Verrett has been subjected to, especially on social media, we strongly oppose. It is a strength that the Royal Family reflects the ethnic diversity that exists in Norway.

It can be difficult to understand how direct or indirect, conscious or unconscious racism can be experienced, for those of us who are not in it ourselves. Unfortunately, there are many in Norway today who experience discrimination and racism. We must work together to put an end to this.”(King Harald condemns racism towards future son-in-law Durek Verrett - Jess Isle Nov 2022)

Prince Harry has suggested that we have a responsibility to learn and grow from racial bias but the Royal Family has demonstrated no intention of doing so. Meghan Markle is a prime example of this. 

The British Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the UK. The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; giving a sense of stability and continuity. (The role of the monarchy). It is their responsibility to foster national identity and unity and therefore arguably they should be speaking out in defence of Meghan Markle, a member of the royal family, and condemning the racist abuse she, Harry and their children have been subjected to. Insead, it appears that the racist attitude of the tabloids not only is permitted by their silence but their lack of engagement on the topic suggests a lack of support for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Arguably The British Royal family sparks interest from around the world and the current clashes of this very public family has done nothing to douse the flames of interest.