COMMUNITY leaders in Basingstoke have reacted to last night's highly-anticipated, two-hour Oprah interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, in which they addressed issues publicly for the first time.

Revelations including an alleged racist remark from a member of the Royal Family regarding the colour of their first-born son Archie's skin as well as the fraught relationship between Prince Harry and his father Prince Charles left some shocked, others angry and most worried about what this means for the future of the monarchy and matters of race in British society.

The Gazette has spoken to leading figures in the town about their views on the Royal couple's television appearance.

Effie Grant, a Basingstoke businesswoman and co-founder of Basingstoke Unite Against Racism, said she is preparing to watch the interview in full this evening (March 8) when it debuts in Britain on ITV at 9pm.

“I have to say, I am incredibly proud of Harry, personally, for so far not giving in,” she said.

Basingstoke Gazette: Prince Harry and Meghan MarklePrince Harry and Meghan Markle

“People don’t realise how deep this thing goes. If you think just of his own trauma, this is the sort of thing that people of colour live with every day. He is fighting for life, to be happy, for his family. It might on the surface seem rich, coming from a white man, but discrimination has no colour.”

 

When asked whether she believes that, by speaking out, the couple will have helped draw new and more people into the fight for equality, Effie added with a laugh: “It is always helpful in the sense that you add value when you are of value.”

She continued: “There is inspiration everywhere, every day. It’s different for individuals as to where it comes from. Mine was George Floyd. I was standing there and thinking, I have seen this a couple of times now, but it is so shocking, that that could easily have been my husband, my nephews, and wondering if this is going to be the world they live in. Everybody is going to come to that point where they take up their arms and fight.”

Grace Powell, chair of the Basingstoke Caribbean Society, described herself as a “royalist”, however admitted she was shocked to hear the allegations regarding a senior royal questioning Archie's skin colour.

“As a mum, I have children who are married, and their children are of mixed heritage. We can only go by what Harry said, but the way it has impacted him, my first reaction is this was not said in a light-hearted manner. That is pretty shocking in this day and age, and it goes to show the perpetual and underlying racism that exists in this country. As a person of colour, we will never belong.”

Grace added that it was not confined to the Royal Family, but across the country’s institutions, that racism exists. She said she “feared” for Harry and Meghan who will be “crucified”, but urges people on a local level to first accept that racism has not gone away, and then take action.

The community stalwart continued: “Racism is cruelty. Let’s have the conversations around how we react to another person who is not like us. Let’s all do that.”

Jen Campbell, who is part of the Black History Month South team and last year organised an anti-racism demonstration in War Memorial Park, said: “I’m not usually that interested in these things, but I will be watching this.”

Referencing the allegations of racism made, she continued: “Sadly, I am not surprised, but it is worrying. We do not know what the truth is, however that someone would comment on the skin colour of an unborn child is not ok. Piers Morgan suggested this morning that it could have been ‘curiosity’. No. Just because something is not meant offensively does not mean it is not racism.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in today’s society is ignorance, and people choosing to remain ignorant. And then when people choose to give a voice to something they are thought to have a chip on their shoulder.

“There is an issue of systemic racism in British society, whether it's in the Royal Family or otherwise. Those people that choose to say otherwise are choosing to remain ignorant. It is not going to harm you to arm yourself with knowledge.”

Speaking about the impact of the interview in breaking through that ignorance, Jen added: “It’s too personal. They are right to call out racism but their message is being devalued by how people perceive them.

“The Royal Family chooses not to speak out, Meghan chooses to, and she gets vilified. No one is having a go at him for saying the Royal Family is racist. She bears the brunt of all the negative commentary.

“I don’t think this will raise the topic of racism, unfortunately. It might do among people of colour, but not the people who need to be having that conversation. I think they will be more interested in having a go.”

However, Jen stressed that “we all have a part to play”.

“Have some empathy. Forget who these people are and just put yourself in their shoes. When you see racism, call it out. Find out what the policies and processes are in your schools and workplaces. And if you don’t want to be the one who stands up, arm yourself with knowledge.”