‘Canadians should be deeply concerned,’ advocate says after Meghan shares story of Royal racism

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A Vancouver-based advocate says she isn’t surprised to hear the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s unflattering depiction of life inside the Royal household, including accounts of racist attitudes.

Meghan Markle, who identifies as biracial, described that when she was pregnant with son Archie, there were “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Prince Harry confirmed the conversation, saying: “I was a bit shocked.” He said he would not reveal who made the comment.

Dr. June Francis, the co-chair of the Hogan’s Alley Society in Vancouver, says it shouldn’t matter who made the comments, as this reflects poorly on the entire Royal Family.

“The fact that they’re silent on this is all the information we need,” she said. “I don’t think we need to hear who it was. We need to recognize this institution that we continue to support has shown itself to be racist and I think Canadians should be deeply concerned.”

“When things do not suit them, they reserve the right to say nothing and there’s a very good chance they will leave her out there on her own. The tabloids in the UK will likely land on the side of the Queen. I would be very surprised if Buckingham Palace actually addressed this head on,” Francis added.

Related article: Revealing Meghan and Harry interview shakes UK Royal Family

She feels this reflects especially poorly on the future king of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles.

“Nobody took an anti-racist approach and the failure to recognize the only way forward was to have somebody like Charles vigorously stand up for her and to be anti-racist? There’s no neutral territory there.”

Francis, who’s also an instructor at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, adds she didn’t watch the entire interview Sunday night, but she’s proud of Meghan for speaking openly about how much her mental health has suffered.

Related article: Meghan opening up about mental health an important step to reducing stigma

American actress Meghan Markle, a star of the American TV legal drama “Suits,” married Harry, a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son, Archie, was born the following year.

In early 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They have settled in Santa Barbara, California, and spoke to Oprah Winfrey from their home in the upmarket Montecito area.

The couple is expecting their second child — a girl — this summer.

-With files from Kier Junos

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