Prince Harry and Meghan have called for an end to structural racism in the UK, in an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard.
Harry told how he had become made more aware of the struggles people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) communities face since meeting Meghan. “I wasn’t aware of so many of the issues and so many of the problems within the UK and also globally as well,” he said. “I thought I did, but I didn’t.”
While it’s not about “pointing the finger” or blame, he added, there is a need for “learning” how we can do better.
“I think it is a really exciting time in British culture and British history, and in world culture,” he said. “This is a real moment that we should be grasping and actually celebrating. Because no one else has managed to do this before us.”
During the interview, the Duchess of Sussex was asked about her views on the Black Lives Matter protests, following the death of George Floyd. “When there is just peaceful protest and when there is the intention of just wanting community and just wanting the recognition of equality, then that is a beautiful thing,” she said.
“It has been challenging for a lot of people, certainly, having to make this reckoning of historical significance that has got people to the place that they are. That is uncomfortable for people. We recognise that. It is uncomfortable for us.”
In a joint article for the Evening Standard, the couple write: “As long as structural racism exists, there will be generations of young people of colour who do not start their lives with the same equality of opportunity as their white peers. And for as long as that continues, untapped potential will never get to be realised.
“Therefore, now is the best time for us to be able to use our platform, and you use your platform as well, so we can actually start a conversation and introduce people to the Black community that are making a massive difference within their own communities and across the UK as a whole as well.”
The couple also spoke about family life, adding that their son Archie is “so good”. “We are very lucky with our little one,” she said. “He is just so busy, he is all over the place. He keeps us on our toes. We are just so lucky.”
To mark the beginning of Black History Month, the pair appeared on a Zoom call from their home in California and revealed their list of Black History Month “next gen trailblazers”.
People recognised for their contribution to British society included Vogue editor Edward Enninful, boxing champion Nicola Adams, and author Bernardine Evaristo.