Comments from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson have sparked debate over the latest royal race row, following comments in Omid Scobie’s latest royal biography that family members expressed concern over Prince Archie’s skin colour.
Johnson said: “To ask such questions, in anticipation of a happy event, is simple human nature.
“Frankly, I neither know nor care which royal said something about Archie, but I am certain that he or she was not remotely racist. It’s time to stop all this nonsense, and re-draw the distinction between the ugliness of racism and prejudice — against which we have abundant statutes — and ordinary, innocent patterns of human thought and behaviour.”
Royal commentator Jennie Bond joined Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond on GB News’ Breakfast to show her support for the former PM’s comments.
Jennie Bond (left) joined GB News Breakfast to discuss Harry and Meghan’s next move amid a royal race row
GB News / PA
“I think a lot of people are singing to that same tune now,” said Bond. “ I think it’s something perhaps that many of us were hesitant to express at the time.
“And I would add that context, I suppose, is everything. It is Meghan who said that there were conversations and concerns expressed. So her perception is that it wasn’t maybe just human curiosity, it was a concern. But that’s just the way she took these alleged remarks by whomsoever they were made.
“And also I think that if Omid Scobie – who is the author of this book that started this whole thing up again – if he really has had access to letters between Meghan and King Charles in which the King said that whoever made these remarks there was no ill will or casual prejudice intended, then I think we would take him at his word.
“That is the case. It wasn’t a concern. It was a human curiosity. I mean I’m sure they must have said, ‘I wonder if the child is going to have red hair’. I mean, is that prejudicial?”
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The identity of the royals who voiced “concerns” about Archie’s skin colour were revealed last week
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Anne chimed in: “Well, maybe it isn’t to some generations and it is to others, particularly a young American woman who clearly finds that sort of concern very worrying. What do you think they’re thinking, Harry and Meghan? Do you think they’re aware of the absolute storm they’ve caused, or Omid Scobie has at least caused for them?”
“Oh yes, I mean they must be, they absolutely must have been told, even if they haven’t seen it first hand,” Said Bond.
“But Harry actually, used to scour the the social media and newspapers to see what they were saying, see if he could sue anyone else.
“I think it would be a very good move on their part to state clearly and unequivocally that they had absolutely nothing to do with this book, if that is the case. Because obviously as long as they stay silent, we all think, how could a letter between the King and Meghan Markle get into the public domain?
“So there are unanswered questions and I think it’s very helpful if they answer!”
Stephen responded, saying, “That’s the key problem. It would make a lot of sense for them to to say all of that, but the likelihood is it wouldn’t be true. I mean, where else has this information come from? So they’ve sort of boxed themselves into a corner, haven’t they?”
“Well, it does look that way. But I think if they could distance themselves from this rather nasty snide book, it will be a good move. Because I don’t really know why Omid Scobie has been so just, well, plain unpleasant about so many members of the Royal family.
“Particularly Catherine Princess of Wales. I mean what is the point of belittling her achievements, saying that we all go ‘wow’ when she does anything and we don’t with other members of the family. In my view she has quite a tricky role in life. A privileged one of course but quite a tricky one.
“And she is playing a blindingly good hand and making not small achievements but great achievements particularly in child early years development. I think she’s really brilliant on that and he’s just belittled her. Well, why?!”
