Royal Wedding: Black Guests

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was notable for its inclusion of African-American culture. Markle, who is biracial, has spoken about the complications that have come with her racial ambiguity. She has faced racism and misunderstanding as the daughter of a white father and a black mother. In the lead-up to the wedding, Prince Harry even released a statement asking the media to stop the wave of abuse and harassment against Markle, citing the racial undertones of newspaper opinion pieces.

The wedding itself featured a sermon from Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the Black head of the Episcopal Church, a performance from a Black gospel choir, and a solo from 19-year-old Black cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

Meghan Markle's mixed-race heritage

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, identifies as a mixed-race woman. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is African-American, and her father, Thomas Markle Sr., is Caucasian. Markle has spoken about her experiences as a biracial woman, including the racism she has faced, and the challenges of navigating closed-mindedness and racial ambiguity in the acting industry.

Markle has stated that she did not experience racism until her engagement to Prince Harry, when the British press began reporting on her, and the public became "aware of [her] race". She has also shared stories of her mother being mistaken for her nanny, and being called a racial slur.

Markle's biracial identity has been a topic of discussion and debate, with some questioning whether she was ever treated as a Black woman or a woman of colour before her marriage into the British royal family. There has also been criticism of Markle's comments on biracialism, with some biracial and multiracial Black people finding her comments offensive and rooted in colourism and anti-Blackness.

Markle's arrival in the British public eye as Prince Harry's girlfriend marked a departure from the usual coverage of royal relationships by the British tabloids, which were accused of using coded language and racial slurs in their descriptions of Markle and her family. Markle's heritage attracted immense attention due to it being a visible departure for a member of the royal family.

Markle has embraced her identity as a mixed-race woman and has used her platform to address issues of racism and advocate for causes such as feminism and the environment.

The inclusion of African-American culture in the ceremony

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was noted for its inclusion of African-American culture. Markle, whose mother was her only family member in attendance, is biracial, with a white father and a Black mother. She has spoken and written about the complications that have come with her racial ambiguity.

The ceremony included a sermon from Reverend Michael Curry, the first African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church. Curry's sermon touched on America's history of slavery and civil rights struggles, and quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and "There is a Balm in Gilead," a spiritual sung by slaves during the Civil War.

The ceremony also included a performance by the Kingdom Choir, a UK-based group of vocalists, many of whom were Black women wearing natural hairstyles and locs. The choir performed a rendition of "Stand By Me." The ceremony also included a performance by 19-year-old Black cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the first Black musician to win the BBC Young Musician of the Year award.

The media's treatment of Markle's race

Markle, who identifies as biracial, has been treated as a black woman. Every black woman, including myself, knows what that means. As far as the world is concerned, your entire being is filtered through the colour of your skin. We’ve all heard the comments: "You are pretty for a black girl" and "You speak so well". And if you dare to reach beyond some imaginary line of demarcation, you’re seen as "uppity".

The media's coverage of Markle has been described as a complex—and at times subtle—mix of romantic fairy tale, change of tradition and racial slur. Her heritage has attracted immense attention from the public and press, partly because it is such a visible departure for a British royal. At the same time, there has been an aggressive tendency to pretend that nobody notices her race. Instead, the only reason for any hesitation about Markle stems, some in the commentariat claim, from the fact that she is American, an actor, or divorced, or that she went to Catholic school.

The media's treatment of Markle has also been described as gendered, in this case, reeking of misogynoir. It has been said that what is so seemingly offensive to the British press and at least some of the British public is Markle’s independence and desire to control her destiny in the public eye—a common objective for celebrities. It is why her exit was always likely to the discerning mind. But it’s also why she remains a persona non grata to those accustomed to covering culture, celebrities, and/or entertainment with little to no apparent ethical responsibility, or who disregard the duty of care they have to the people they write about and the public that reads it.

The media's coverage of Markle has also been described as a racist, sexist, chauvinistic pathology. It has been said that what the press owes its subjects remains a tricky conversation, especially in entertainment or culture journalism that sometimes occupies a contradictory space in the media and the public. The subjects and people reported on and commented about are sometimes treated as frivolous, yet they reflect what and who a society deems desirable, relatable, worthy of worship—and paradoxically—who it feels entitled to in terms of surveillance and unfettered condemnation. What is clear in how the press covers women as public figures, regardless of their domains or class of celebrity, is that the media system replicates the same hyper-scrutiny and projects the same limited space of being as society offers ordinary women in general.

The significance of a biracial princess

Queen Charlotte, born Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was the wife of King George III and served as Queen for nearly 60 years until her death in 1818. She was directly descended from Margarita de Castro y Sousa, a black branch of the Portuguese Royal House. Charlotte's racial background was not known during her lifetime and was only discovered years after her death through art historians' close examination of her portraits, particularly those painted by Sir Allan Ramsay. Ramsay, an abolitionist himself, did not hide Charlotte's features and accurately depicted her mixed-race identity.

Secondly, a biracial princess can serve as a role model and source of inspiration for people of colour, particularly young girls who have been underrepresented and marginalised throughout history. Seeing someone who looks like them in a position of power and influence can empower them to pursue their dreams and aspirations, knowing that their race does not limit their potential. It also encourages a more inclusive society, where people of all backgrounds are valued and respected.

Moreover, the presence of a biracial princess can help to address issues of racism and discrimination. By welcoming a biracial member into the royal family, it sends a strong message against racism and promotes racial equality. It opens up conversations about racial justice and encourages people to examine their own biases and prejudices. The royal family, by embracing diversity, can lead by example and inspire others to follow suit, fostering a more tolerant and inclusive society.

Lastly, a biracial princess can help to strengthen cultural ties between the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, particularly those with shared colonial histories. By acknowledging and celebrating the racial diversity within the royal family, it creates a sense of connection and shared heritage with former colonies, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

In conclusion, the significance of a biracial princess, such as Queen Charlotte, extends far beyond the royal family itself. It symbolises progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society, where race is not a barrier to achievement or acceptance. It inspires hope and empowers individuals from all racial backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

The UK's 'quiet' racism

The UK has a long history of racism, including structural discrimination and hostile attitudes towards various ethnic minorities. While levels of racist attitudes have declined in recent decades, structural disadvantages and hate incidents persist. This is exemplified by the treatment of Meghan Markle, a mixed-race actress, who became the first person of mixed-race origin to marry into the British royal family when she wed Prince Harry in 2018.

The couple's engagement sparked a heated debate on racial identity, with some arguing that if Markle had darker skin, the marriage would not have taken place. This reflects the broader issue of colourism, where those with lighter skin are favoured over those with darker skin.

Following their engagement, there was a clear bias against the couple that reflected inequality in society. Markle's race was frequently mentioned in public discourse, and she faced racial abuse, including racist jokes and slurs. There was also a perception of a lack of defence for her from the royal family.

The wedding itself was noted for its inclusion of African-American culture, with a gospel choir, a black cellist, and a preacher from the Episcopal Church. However, the couple's big day was also marred by racism. There were suggestions that the presence of so many people of colour at the wedding was unusual, as demonstrated by the user's query.

Racism in the UK is structural, institutional, and systemic, as evidenced by the experiences of people of African descent, who continue to encounter racial discrimination and erosion of their fundamental rights. This includes issues in the criminal justice system, deaths in police custody, and racialised acts that perpetuate racial hierarchies.

While the UK has made some progress in addressing racism, there is still much work to be done to combat quiet racism and create a more equitable society.

Frequently asked questions