To think that if the only black adult in your family says they have experienced racism...

[Overcastcloudy]

... it's counterproductive to send a white man out to say, We're very much not racist?

That just is never going to end well. Ask Ian Murray how it worked out for him.

I couldn't care much either way about the Royal Family. Just baffled at the headline of William saying this.

I’m utterly baffled by your post OP.

Have a

What was he supposed to say?

Now, again, I'm no expert on the RF, and I'm not in PR, but you have to think that at some point, someone advised the RF on this? The question is unsurprising, given all the coverage (which even I couldn't avoid! I'm still wondering how I know any of this).

So, off the top of my head: "Is your family racist?"

"I would certainly not have thought so! I would be really disappointed - and shocked - if that were true. It does not represent the values of the RF, or of modern Britain." Then walk away.

She's an actress. Her job is to convince people that she's anything she says she is.

Not answering that question in the way that he did would have sounded like tacit agreement that they are racist. Surely anybody would want to defend themselves against that claim.

Clarinsmum - your post made me laugh out loud. I was a lawyer in a previous life, so would wager I have a stronger grasp of constitutional law than you do.

@Overcastcloudy

What was he supposed to say?

Now, again, I'm no expert on the RF, and I'm not in PR, but you have to think that at some point, someone advised the RF on this? The question is unsurprising, given all the coverage (which even I couldn't avoid! I'm still wondering how I know any of this).

So, off the top of my head: "Is your family racist?"

"I would certainly not have thought so! I would be really disappointed - and shocked - if that were true. It does not represent the values of the RF, or of modern Britain." Then walk away.

He'd have managed about the first 3 words of your natty little speech before getting out of range.

You didn't see it, did you?

No, you can be any kind of narcissistic arsehole you like, but you don’t deserve racism in response. It’s a criminal offence for starters.

It’s going to cost the Royals the Commonwealth, and about time too

Not going to take a punt on 'about time', but yes, I agree this may cost them the Commonwealth.

@Overcastcloudy

What was he supposed to say?

Now, again, I'm no expert on the RF, and I'm not in PR, but you have to think that at some point, someone advised the RF on this? The question is unsurprising, given all the coverage (which even I couldn't avoid! I'm still wondering how I know any of this).

So, off the top of my head: "Is your family racist?"

"I would certainly not have thought so! I would be really disappointed - and shocked - if that were true. It does not represent the values of the RF, or of modern Britain." Then walk away.

Well, she could ask her husband, who has made a racist comment or two in his time...

I’m republican in leaning and would happily do away with all of them.

Not quite off with their heads, but certainly off you fuck .

@FuckyouBrennan

Oh ffs. Meghan could claim to be a rabbit and people would believe it. William wasn’t sent out to say that.

What I find so weird about the vitriol shown to Meghan on this site is, on the majority of threads where a pp has experienced some form of abuse be it racial, sexual, sexist etc. the MN stance is always “believe the oppressed” as it can be so damaging not to. You see people vehemently backing people to report racism, sexism etc despite only have the posters side of the story. But when a “divorced, millionaire who has stole the Prince, disgraced the precious royal family” speaks about her treatment from her in-laws and there is CLEAR examples of racism from within the royal family for the world to see, she is a liar.

It’s quite pathetic.

@SmallPrawnEnergy to me and for many she belittles women’s real experiences and has relied on the narrative you mention to go unchallenged

Well, she could ask her husband, who has made a racist comment or two in his time...

Indeed! Did she not know about the Nazi uniform at the party??

I think you are being too harsh. Obviously someone said something to Harry but one person saying something does not mean a whole family is responsible for what that individual said. And I find all this ‘white people can’t comment on racism thing’ upsetting too. Because that very idea of saying someone can’t comment because they are white is a racist comment in itself. I am mixed race and I think we all need to come from a place of everyone is equal rather than this whole let’s criticise white people approach. We won’t get anywhere if we try and make people afraid to open their mouths.

@Overcastcloudy no, that wouldn’t suit their narrative at all to mention Harry’s behaviour

@ittakes2

I think you are being too harsh. Obviously someone said something to Harry but one person saying something does not mean a whole family is responsible for what that individual said. And I find all this ‘white people can’t comment on racism thing’ upsetting too. Because that very idea of saying someone can’t comment because they are white is a racist comment in itself. I am mixed race and I think we all need to come from a place of everyone is equal rather than this whole let’s criticise white people approach. We won’t get anywhere if we try and make people afraid to open their mouths.

Steady on - that's a well reasoned and thoughtful post!

I think she's racist for constantly accusing people of racism when she passes as white.

Do you know what the word ‘racist’ means?

Should he have said nothing?
Yes.

She has sown much more division and hatred which is her aim.

The person in question in the RF needs to be held accountable. But her comment of “that would be hugely damaging to them’ reveals she knows there’s no way they’d be able to ever explain or give context. So instead of punishing that person she has stirred up hate for the whole RF.

I think this specific incident speaks more about what a shitshow the British media is rather than the Royal family.

“Journalist” shouts out deliberately goady statement which is impossible to answer off the cuff with any sort of nuance. Media twists it as some sort of “official statement” and makes the headline to cause froth.

But he wasn't 'sent out' to declare they are not racists? If someone accused me of being a racist, I'd respond as well. It's a serious accusation and it could damage anyone, nevermind someone in their position. Nobody knows what happened behind closed doors and it's their word against MM's

One of the most interesting aspects of this is that Meghan is 'passing' - she is very 'light' - she's completely ambiguous. I cannot imagine the shitstorm had she had the phenotype of for example Serena Williams.

That said, Yanbu - but something not discussed nearly enough is the racism mixed race people face from their own family. Of course we know we will experience racism at some point in our lives from others but coming from people you expect to love and care for you can be really damaging.