Prince Harry has broken many precedents in his time, but today, he added one more chip to the royal mould.
An official statement from Kensington Palace issued on behalf on the fifth in line to the throne takes a strong stand against the media’s behaviour towards his current girlfriend, the actress and global campaigner Meghan Markle. Why? Because Prince Harry’s girlfriend is mixed race, and many people can’t deal with it.
It condemns the “outright racism and sexism of social media trolls and web article comments,” as well as “the racial undertones” of newspaper coverage littered with racially-charged stereotypes."
Describing journalists’ numerous attempts to invade Markle’s private life, the statement warns that the prince is worried about her safety and emphasises: “This is not a game — it is her life and his.”
In short, Prince Harry is politely but firmly asking the media to “back off.”
Kensington Palace has issued a statement this morning about the harassment currently being experienced by Meghan Markle and her family. pic.twitter.com/EuFZ4fmUIj
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 8, 2016
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Many media outlets are describing this as an “unprecedented” statement because of its direct and frank tone. Despite living in the public glare, it is rare for a member of the royal family to be quite so open about their feelings. While some outlets have chosen to focus on the fact the statement confirms rumours that he is officially dating the "Suits" actress, the real purpose of the statement is far more powerful. For someone who has grown up under the lens of an intrusive media, what has changed?
In Kensington Palace’s own words, the racial abuse Markle has experienced has brought a new dimension to the media onslaught. The monarchy is not an institution that was built for the 21st century. An interracial relationship should not be big news, but for an institution centred on class and heritage, it’s unsurprising — unfortunately — that the ethnicity of his girlfriend has caused a stir.
Prince Harry’s response brings the royal family into new territory (at least in living memory), as it is forced to confront the reality of racial prejudice, an experience endured by many whose identity is questioned by voices hostile to difference or threatened by diversity. It's visible in the language used to describe refugees or migrants, or in the way "foreigners" are routinely presented as threats to law and order. Whether it’s plastered over headlines or hidden in the comments, racist and xenophobic attitudes are not yet a thing of the past. The role of social media and the press in stoking division has repeatedly been called into question, but now that a Prince has spoken, will the people listen?
The Palace’s deeply personal statement shows a new face to the monarchy, one that might be ready to stand up to racism when it sees it. The question now is not just, are we ready to accept the couple’s privacy, but are we willing to expose the bigotry that often hides in plain sight?
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