Queen 'particularly proud' of Meghan! But was the media racist?

Tuesday 21st January 2020 15:10 EST
 
 

In a royal showdown after Meghan Markle and Harry announced their desire to step down from their “royal responsibilities”, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in a statement praised the Hollywood actress in how quickly she has "become one of the family".

In a statement on Saturday, 18th January Buckingham Palace announced that the couple will no longer use their HRH titles, will no longer receive public funds and will repay money used to renovate their UK home, Frogmore Cottage. She wrote,

"Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."

In the meantime, Harry has expressed his sadness over his decision to step down from royal duties saying he had taken a “leap of faith”. He said he had not taken the decision lightly, but there was “no other option”. He cast the blame on media, “a powerful force” for their heightened scrutiny on the royal couple.

Ever since the couple announced they were stepping back from their “roles” as senior royals, there’s been a debate in British media about whether the coverage of Markle has been racist.  Some, broadcasters like Piers Morgan, have argued that it is not racist to talk about Markle’s DNA as “exotic,”. Other reports have also indicated that over half the coverage of Markle has negative undertones as opposed to receiving praise for her work.

Markle had recently discussed the difficulty of dealing with tabloid coverage more broadly, saying it had been “hard,” and that adopting “this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip” was difficult.


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