In a revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared their belief that racism played a pivotal role in their decision to step back from the royal family. The couple made explicit and implicit references to racism throughout the conversation.
The most shocking allegation came when Meghan disclosed that a member of the royal family expressed concerns about how dark their son Archie's skin might be. Meghan, who identifies as biracial, emphasized the racially charged nature of this conversation.
Implicitly, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex linked their departure from royal life to racial issues. Meghan was surprised to learn that Archie, the first mixed-race great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, would not be given the title of prince and would be denied security protection. Meghan highlighted her concern for Archie's safety, contradicting reports that suggested it was her and Harry's decision not to give him a title.
Racism has been a consistent issue for Meghan since she began dating Prince Harry in 2016, prompting him to release statements defending her against racist and sexist press and social media. The couple's willingness to address racial matters in the interview marks a departure from the typical reticence of the monarchy on such issues.
When pressed by Oprah to reveal which member of the royal family discussed Archie's skin color, both Meghan and Harry chose not to provide specifics. Harry mentioned feeling awkward and shocked during that conversation.
Meghan's experience with relentless and often explicitly racist tabloid coverage parallels the media scrutiny faced by Princess Diana. Harry expressed concern that history might repeat itself, putting Meghan at even greater risk due to her race.
Meghan also addressed tabloid reports that portrayed her negatively compared to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton. Refuting claims that she made Middleton cry, Meghan emphasized that "the reverse was true" and cited the incident to illustrate the lack of support and intense public scrutiny she faced during her first year as a royal.
The interview underscores Meghan and Harry's break from traditional royal norms and their commitment to addressing racial issues within the monarchy.
