Prince William and Princess Kate’s recent US visit, culminating in a meeting with President Biden, was intended to be a high point of their royal duties. However, the trip was dogged by controversies both in the US and back home in the UK, raising questions about the future of the monarchy.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony.
The most prominent controversy stemmed from the release of a trailer for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix docuseries, coinciding with William and Kate’s US visit. The trailer hinted at explosive revelations about the royal family, with Harry speaking about the need to protect his family and the couple suggesting a campaign against them within the institution.
This development further fueled the existing tensions between the brothers and raised concerns about a deepening rift within the royal family. British media outlets were quick to label the documentary as a “declaration of war”, further amplifying the controversy.
Adding to the drama, Ngozi Fulani, a Black British charity executive, alleged that she was subjected to racially insensitive questioning by Lady Susan Hussey, Prince William’s godmother, at a Buckingham Palace event. Fulani described feeling violated by the encounter, sparking a conversation about racism within royal circles.
Prince William, Kate Middleton, and President Joe Biden.
Lady Susan Hussey resigned from her role as an aide to Queen Consort Camilla following the incident, with the palace condemning the comments as unacceptable. Prince William, through a spokesperson, asserted that racism has no place in society. However, the incident cast a shadow over the US trip and raised questions about the royal family’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Despite the controversies, William and Kate carried out their engagements, including a meeting with President Biden, where the focus was on the Earthshot Prize, an initiative spearheaded by Prince William to support innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
The US visit, while intended to highlight the positive work of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was overshadowed by events that highlighted the internal conflicts and struggles of the royal family. The trip brought to the forefront questions about the monarchy’s relevance in the modern world and its ability to adapt to changing social climates.
