Meghan Markle Critics Exposed as They Continue Racism Denial

The treatment of Meghan Markle in the British press and public spaces exposes a troubling truth: many of Meghan Markle’s critics engage in racism denial, refusing to acknowledge the racial attacks she has faced. These critics continuously twist the narrative to downplay or completely dismiss the systemic racism that persists in British society, particularly when it comes to Markle’s experience.

Camilla Tominey and the White-Washed Framing of Meghan Markle

Camilla Tominey, a prominent editor at The Telegraph, has been one of the most outspoken critics denying that Meghan Markle has faced racism. In various interviews, Tominey frequently claims that Meghan’s struggles were unrelated to race and suggests that the British media and public warmly received her. Tominey also downplayed Prince Harry’s comments on “unconscious bias” and dismissed his defense of Meghan as exaggerated. This narrative fits into a broader white-centered view that avoids confronting the realities of racial injustice.

However, despite denying racism in Meghan’s experience, Tominey has gone so far as to accuse Markle of reverse racism in her column about Markle’s Vogue guest editorship.

"It is not the job of black people & ethnic minorities to educate white people on racism perpetuated by white people. White folks need to educate themselves on #racism."

Me explaining what racism is from the lens of #WhitePrivilege on #thismorning #royalcrisis #HarryandMeghan pic.twitter.com/bNcFfy5qZA

— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) January 13, 2020

Related | Camilla Tominey Cried Troll at Wimbledon but Her Pattern of Racialized Reporting on Meghan Is the Real Scandal

The Intersection of Sexism and Racism in Meghan’s Coverage

Racism remains central to the narrative, but Meghan has also faced sexist tropes, often portrayed as an overly ambitious woman disrupting a traditional institution. Her confidence, feminist values, and advocacy for racial justice are twisted into accusations of her being “difficult” or a “bully”—a narrative distinctly tied to both her race and gender.

Meghan’s experience is not limited to British media. Australia’s 60 Minutes aired a segment titled “How Meghan Markle Lost Her Sparkle,” with no mention of race, while giving a platform to far-right figures like Katie Hopkins. Hopkins, known for her vitriolic views on immigration and race, encapsulates the global white-nationalist framing of Markle, further entrenching the racism denial on a broader scale.

If I criticised Meghan, as we can hear I am, people say, ‘Well, you’re racist’. And, honestly, it’s not even a second thought to me… So, this racist thing is really old and tired, but I think it’s just people’s way of sort of saying ‘You must not criticise Meghan.'” – Katie Hopkins

How Denying Racism Perpetuates the Systemic Problem

The white-centered narrative around Meghan Markle represents a larger issue that impacts people of color globally. Denying racism allows for the continuation of a system that oppresses and marginalizes, all while protecting the status quo of the white elite. Meghan’s experience is a case study in how systemic racism operates in the media, and the refusal to acknowledge it prevents meaningful change.

The refusal to acknowledge the racism Meghan Markle has faced is emblematic of a wider issue—how white supremacy persists in everyday discourse. To dismantle these frameworks, there needs to be an active effort to recognize and confront these biases head-on, moving beyond mere denial.