Living in royalty might look like a fairytale, but life isn’t quite “happily ever after” for the British monarchy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been the center of attention in British media since the beginning of their relationship back in 2016. Tabloids have always scrutinized Markle, painting her as an unfit member of the royal family — perceived by most people to be an act of blatant racism.
Now, after the couple has stepped down from their titles and are now openlysharing their side, vicious British publications have dubbed it as the biggest crisis of the monarchy. On the other hand, there are things the royal family has done (and overlooked) that are far worse than Harry and Meghan.
What do you think is more controversial, speaking up against discrimination or being affiliated with a child sex trafficker?
King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson
Prince Harry shares a similarity to his great-granduncle Edward VIII. The former king renounced his throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. There was social and political uproar with the Church of England basically forcing him to give up the throne.
However, the couple’s controversy goes far beyond the status of their relationship. As fans of Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ might know, the two were believed to be companions of dictator Adolf Hitler. British intelligence claimed that Simpson was funneling information to the Germans from documents that Edward VIII did not secure. A recently retrieved document from 1957 later confirmed the theory, revealing how Britain tried to cover it up.
Captain Mark Phillips
While still married, Captain Mark Phillips had a one-night stand in 1984 with an art teacher from New Zealand. Apparently Phillips had asked the woman to get an abortion, but she decided to still have the baby. Following the disputes between him and Princess Anne, Phillips went on to marry another woman named Sandy Pflueger who he eventually divorce in 2012. Most recently he was reported to be dating a woman 28 years younger than him.
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles
The relationship of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles spans almost 50 years, but their journey to romance was hardly a conventional one. It’s known that Charles had been having an affair with his long-time friend while still married to late Princess Diana.
In an official biography, Diana revealed that she purposefully fell down the stairs while pregnant to get Charles’ attention because of her suspicions at the time. It was confirmed in the winter of 1992 after an intimate transcript of a phone call between Charles and Camilla was leaked. The scandal was dubbed “Camillagate” by the press.
Princess Michael donned a racist brooch
Princess Michael of Kent has had a history of racial tendencies. In 2004, she allegedly said “go back to the colonies,” towards a group of black New Yorkers in a restaurant. More recently in 2017, she was seen wearing an offensive accessory to the Queen’s luncheon. The brooch is a piece of blackamoor jewelry that fetishizes the image of slavery.
People had wondered if it had anything to do with the attendance of Meghan Markle at the same event. As a biracial woman, Markle has been a victim of discrimination especially under the British media.
Prince Andrew sex trafficking scandal
In what many consider to be the most controversial scandal, a member of the royal family is known to have ties with a convicted sex offender. Prince Andrew has been connected with the deceased Jeffrey Epstein, and accused of being involved in child sex trafficking.
While these allegations definitely call for an investigation, the Palace has swept the issue under the rug — further exhibiting the double standards of the British monarchy. Rather than seriously looking into Prince Andrew’s lifestyle, the press continues to spotlight Prince Harry and Meghan Markle instead.
Other POP! stories you might like:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter could come to your city in 2022
Scandal surrounding U.S. Nike executive exposes problems with resellers
Solenn Heussaff’s latest piece sparks discourse on advocacy vs poverty porn
This German university offers students scholarship for being lazy
5 surprising things about International Women’s Day