Meghan Markle Used 'Faux-Royal Tours' to Accuse the Crown of Racism: New Book
The accusations have renewed scrutiny around Harry and Meghan's actions, both before and after their time as working royals.
Meghan Markle never seems to be able to escape controversy. Recently, claims emerged that she used her 'faux royal tours' as a platform to portray the royal family as racist. Royal author Tom Bower, in his new book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, alleged that the overseas visits were strategically used to shape the damaging narrative about the monarchy.
As per Bower, for Harry and Markle, Nigeria was “the perfect battleground on which to weaponize a portrayal of the Royal Family as racist.” In his book, he alleges: “Over a dinner conversation in the military’s headquarters, Meghan told her story of two senior royals asking Harry while she was pregnant what color the unborn child would be." These assertions have added to the earlier allegations made by the couple during their high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In the aftermath of the interview, Queen Elizabeth responded publicly, in a rare move. In March 2021, Buckingham Palace released a statement saying, “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.” Many interpreted this statement as a balance between the acknowledgement of the claims with a touch of institutional restraint.
The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, have strongly dismissed Bower’s claims in the new book. In a sharply worded statement, their representative said, “Mr. Bower’s commentary has long crossed the line from criticism into fixation. This is someone who has publicly stated, ‘the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,’ language that speaks for itself.”
In their rebuttal, the representative claimed, “He [Bower] has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him.” Despite the pushback from the Sussex camp, Bower’s book has reignited the debate over the couple’s claims and the broader conversation regarding race, reputation, and the modern monarchy.
