The Royal Family’s recent decision to quietly remove Prince Harry’s statement condemning the racist and sexist treatment of Meghan Markle from their official website is a move that warrants critical scrutiny.  The statement, originally issued in 2016, addressed the racist and sexist abuse Markle faced following the public revelation of the Sussexes relationship. This action is not just about the deletion of a webpage; it symbolizes a deeper, more troubling stance towards issues of race and media accountability within the institution.

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Background Information on Prince Harry’s Statement

In November 2016, Prince Harry, through Kensington Palace communications secretary Jason Knauf, publicly condemned the “wave of abuse and harassment” directed at Meghan Markle. This statement came in response to the intense scrutiny and negative media coverage that Markle endured after their romance became public.

A screenshot of the official statement released by Kensington Palace on November 8, 2016, on behalf of Prince Harry, condemning the media’s treatment of Meghan Markle. The statement addresses the wave of abuse, harassment, racism, and sexism Markle faced following the public revelation of their relationship.

This statement, taken from the Kensington Palace X account, is of poor resolution.

Specific Incidents:

The media harassment included a notorious Daily Mail headline: “Harry’s Girl is (Almost) Straight Outta Compton,” which drew significant criticism from Harry’s office. The statement detailed various instances of harassment, such as public smear campaigns, including front-page smears and racially charged comment pieces in national newspapers.

A screenshot of two Daily Mail headlines from November 2016 criticizing Meghan Markle. The left headline reads, “EXCLUSIVE: Harry’s girl is (almost) straight outta Compton: Gang-scarred home of her mother revealed - so will he be dropping by for tea?” accompanied by images of Meghan Markle, her mother, and their Los Angeles neighborhood. The right headline reads, “EXCLUSIVE: Meet the family! How Harry’s American girl’s ancestors were a tailor, a teacher and a cleaner in racially-divided Jim Crow South - while his were ruling the British Empire,” with images of Meghan Markle and her mother.

It also highlighted legal battles and intrusions, with nightly legal efforts to keep defamatory stories out of the press, photographers harassing Markle’s mother, and attempts by reporters to illegally enter her home. Additionally, the statement mentioned bribery and personal attacks, including substantial bribes offered to Markle’s ex-boyfriend for information, and the harassment of her friends, co-workers, and loved ones.

Deletion of Prince Harry’s Statement and Its Implications

According to a report in Newsweek, the statement was accessible on the Royal Family’s website until early December 2023. The last successful capture by the internet archive Wayback Machine was on December 3, 2023. By December 10, attempts to access the page were unsuccessful, indicating its removal. This deletion has raised questions about the Royal Family’s current stance and the reasons behind erasing a historical statement that had remained online for seven years.


This erasure could be perceived as an attempt to downplay the seriousness of their own racism accusations and to sanitize the Royal Family’s public image. It suggests a reluctance to fully engage with or address the very real issues of racism and media harassment that Meghan Markle faced. By removing the statement, the Royal Family appears to be signaling that they prefer to move on from these uncomfortable truths rather than confront them head-on.

Meghan Markle’s Reflections and Prince Harry’s Memoir Spare”

Meghan Markle has been vocal about her experiences with racism and her biracial identity. In a 2016 essay for Elle magazine, she discussed the discrimination faced by her and her mother, Doria Ragland. Markle’s reflections on her identity and the challenges of being a biracial woman in the public eye further emphasize the complexities of her situation.

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In his 2023 memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry detailed the backlash he received from his family for making the 2016 statement. He recounted how his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, were furious, claiming that his statement made them look bad because they had never issued similar statements for their partners.

A Critique of the Royal Family’s Commitment to Addressing Racism

The consequences of this decision are significant. It casts doubt on the Royal Family’s dedication to combating racism and supporting its diverse members. Additionally, it questions their willingness to interact with the public in a sincere and transparent manner. By removing the 2016 statement, the Royal Family continues to diminishes Prince Harry’s efforts to safeguard Meghan but also implies that their position on racism is, at best, non-existent. This move also suggests a keen interest in covering up the British media’s racism rather than addressing it openly.

In conclusion, the Royal Family’s recent action to erase Prince Harry’s statement regarding the media’s racist treatment of Meghan Markle is highly disturbing. It reveals a troubling inclination to prioritize public perception over genuine accountability and progress on racial matters. This action risks further distancing the very communities and individuals who sought leadership and solidarity from the Royal Family in the fight against racism. It represents a regression in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and media responsibility, and it raises serious questions about the Royal Family’s position as the Head of the Commonwealth.

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