People are calling out Prince William for his hypocrisy in condemning racist attacks against three Black English soccer players but not Meghan Markle.
Soccer players Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka were targeted on Instagram after they each failed to score a penalty against Italy on Sunday, as Blavity previously
reported.
Angry game-goers posted banana and monkey emojis and other racist comments under photographs of the players on their individual Instagram pages.
Prince William was quick to condemn their behavior in a tweet.
I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match.
It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour.
It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021
But many are finding Prince William's statements to be hypocritical. While speaking with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, Markle spoke about the racism she faced as a member of the royal family.
Markle discussed how unsupportive the royal family was when she and Prince Harry wed. She said an unnamed member of the royal family approached her husband and expressed concerns over the color of their unborn son’s skin, as Blavity previously reported.
She also shared with Winfrey that her son Archie would not be given the title of prince and would be denied access to security. The mother of two said her experience drove her to have suicidal thoughts.
After Markle's interview, Prince William seemingly avoided addressing her comments.
Twitter pointed out the vast difference in the prince's response to the separate incidents.
Funny how this sickness was null and void when your sister in law was being bashed left right and centre from the time she started dating your brother till now. Fix your home issues first before trying to be holier than tha’ll. like Gary Neville said “It all starts from the top”
— ⁷ Alice (@Alice45055426) July 12, 2021
One user stated that Prince William was gaslighting.
The world sees your gaslighting, Prince William. pic.twitter.com/AesivvBQRS
— Carmen's Granddaughter (@CarmenGranddau1) July 12, 2021
The fruit never falls far from the tree pic.twitter.com/jneP3ur3n4
— Brian Rabouan (@Lotacota) July 12, 2021
Another Twitter user suggested Prince William should've covered his tracks before condemning the angry football fans for racial abuse.
Perhaps you should, idk, hire someone to clean up said racist abuse on your own social media first performing tweeting performative inaction #justsaying
Surprised the headlines haven’t played the #Euro2021 final on #MeghanMarkle yet pic.twitter.com/PVj0UxrymD
— ???? Spicy Dorito???????? (@dorelieart) July 12, 2021
Speaking out against racist abuse against people he doesn’t even know, complete silence when it was aimed at his own family…
— Rachel (@averageworkgmom) July 12, 2021
Good. Now do that for Meghan Markle.
— ???????? (@iamchefapple) July 12, 2021
You are not qualified! Is racism only unacceptable when aimed at England players??? Doesn't matter anywhere else??? https://t.co/JjQbKd7LcV
— the new f00Ls (@TF00ls) July 12, 2021
Prince William if you had led by being sickened, vocally & visibly against racist abuse at your sister-in-law #MeghanMarkle, for yrs, your words would have legitimate credibility right now. Your silence/complicity fuelled what you condemn today
????????Smacks of performative allyship https://t.co/zqyzPpS2o5
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) July 12, 2021
I know Prince William is not opening his dirty mouth trying to condemn the racism faced by the black English football players while at the same time gaslighting Meghan Markle’s experience in that dusty family after her sons skin colour was questioned & he was compared to a chimp pic.twitter.com/AN0AanKZYC
— Myra (@SussexPrincess) July 12, 2021
I absolutely agree, this behaviour is disgusting (though unsurprising) but you were conspicuously quiet when racist abuse was directed at a member of your own family so this is pretty hypocritical from you.
— Hannah Mosford (@hannahmosford) July 12, 2021
Some are hoping that Prince William will finally address racism within his own family.