Lifestyle Opinion

My Take On It: Sorry Your Majesty, it’s too little, too late, you can do more

5 Min Read

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. – Acts 10:34-35

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II broke with British conventional royal protocol to respond to accusations of the  ‘toxic environment’ of royal life made by her grandson Duke of Sussex Harry and his American wife, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan. The allegations were made in a two-hour power-packed Oprah Winfrey interview on the couple’s California home that was aired on Sunday on CBS cable channel. Such toxicity includes racist remarks made by a member of the family.

The Queen’s response that came three days after the interview, highlighting only the abrasive matter of racism that she called concerning, is brief, late, and does not go far enough. There is more that is needed to mend the deep wounds the interview has revealed; her hand needs to go beyond telling the world that she and her family will deal with the issues raised.

In the past year, Queen Elizabeth has deposed her third born child, relieving him of all royal duties due to allegations that he engaged in sex with a minor at the disgraced pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. This was quickly followed by the battles Harry and Meghan had so soon after their star-studded wedding. Last year, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex announced that they were going to step back from their roles as working royals. The move followed the harshness with which the British tabloids hurled racist remarks and were pained by the treatment they were getting.

The interview revealed that they were powerless as palace protocol does not allow them to respond. 

On their part, the former royals, who left the lavish life of the palace now own a chicken coop called Archie’s Chick Inn. The Winfrey interview unearthed brain-numbing revelations that Harry and Meghan have faced not only from a strict Buckingham Palace protocol that failed to protect the couple, but also a hostile press whose blatant scorching racism is beyond believe.

There is a massive fallout as a result of the interview, with pro the couple and pro the Monarch, with many citing the Queen is not to blame. There are over 12 issues that Queen Elizabeth and her spin doctors must address as sternly, proactively, and ably as possible. The Queen as ruler of Britain, head of the Church of England, and head of the Commonwealth. Her obviously guarded response states that “the whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of hos challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan, 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. Harry, Meghan, and Archie will always be much loved family members.”

This is a great departure by the Queen, along with the Palace operatives who in the past have managed to maintain a good public image, stiff upper lip, duty and decorum that kept internal family affairs away from public scrutiny, the Sussex’s interview is the second royal interview highlighting the real picture of life behind the palace gates.

The other interview was that of Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir. The Sussex’s interview has rekindled deep emotions that had been buried in many people’s hearts these past 24 years since Princess Di’s tragic death.

What is there to do by the British Royal family? The royal family must address the allegations of racism with Buckingham Palace. Blatant open racism is parading about when Archie and his dad Prince Harry are denied security. Other royals have security, why is it only archie whose security is pulled?

There must be a serious investigations as to the lack of support by the Palace, family concerning the Duchess, mental health issues and the media’s lack of professionalism. The Queen, age 95 years young, is inarguably the most powerful woman in the whole world; she has the power to bestow titles or strip them as necessary; Harry is the last-born son of her first-born son Prince Charles, she has love for his and his family, their protection and financial well-being must be on her priority list. The latter is especially important since the Sussex’s are living in a foreign country. It is not hard to connect the dots that the race of the mother is factored in the concluding stage where security is denied.

As the Queen of one of the leading western democracies in the world, she can order a title, command a battalion of security service men and women to guard Harr, Meghan, and Archie. About Archie, is other royal grandbabies have titles, so too must Archie. The failure to bestow a riyal title on Archie will make us to draw our conclusion. The conclusion will be that the British monarch is a racist bigoted institution; this is particularly so when some members of the royal family question the skin tone of the Sussex’s unborn child(Archie).

As for Prince Charles, please have a heart.

Janet Karim

Author, high school Learning Disabilities Teacher, candidate Master of Education Special Education, Mason University; highly organized, charismatic and persuasive Communications Specialist and accomplished Journalist, Editor with 41 years in the communications field, offering expertise in all phases of print, broadcast, telecast, and social media productions. Enthusiastic story teller. Highly-motivated and trained media professional possessing exceptional writing and editing skills with ability to draft engaging and effective content; Opinion column contributor for leading national dailies (Maravi Post – 2015-PRESENT; Nation Malawi – 2015-PRESENT; Times Malawi (2004-2007). Other areas of expertise include grant writing and NGO project management. Highly trained in international, regional and local lobbying and election skills. Collaborates with international companies to initiate development policy change and foster public awareness, with deep commitment to social justice and health care equity; especially in work towards women’s political, economic, and social empowerment; ending child, early and forced marriage; and promoting the human rights of the elderly. Advocate for highlighting climate change its effects on the planet. International development work experience with the United Nations headquarters (10 years, and two years UNDP field work); field experience (Malawi) – Oxfam, UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO. Superb public speaker who communicates effectively with target audiences through strategic one-to-one or large audiences, expert in event planning and PR campaigns. Conscientious, diplomatic, and tactful in all communicationsg.