Prince William met with furious backlash over racism statement

Prince William’s latest worthy statement has backfired spectacularly, with social media turning on the “hypocritical” royal.

Prince William released a statement on Monday slamming the “racist abuse” some black football players on the national team have been facing after England lost to Italy in the 2020 Euro Championship game on Sunday.

“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match,” the Prince said in a post on Twitter. “It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”

But many Twitters users are calling William a hypocrite for supporting Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka while never publicly coming to the defence of his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, who is bi-racial and faced racism in the UK while working as a member of the British royal family.

William with Kate and Prince George during the UEFA Euro 2020 final football match between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium.

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“For years #sussexsquad has been told that we are ‘race baiters’ for highlighting the racism against Meghan Markle. Tonight, seeing the abuse hurled at Saka, Rashford and Sancho literally proves what we’ve been saying for years,” one person wrote.

“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. But I love it when it’s aimed at my nephew and SIL Meghan Markle (winks),” wrote another.

“Prince William performative ally ship. His words would have legitimate credibility right now if he had condemned racist abuse towards Meghan Markle and Archie. His silence and complicity fuelled what he condemns today,” said someone else.

“Were you sickened by the racist abuse aimed at your sister-in-law Meghan Markle for years? What [about] your own blood nephew Archie?” asked a user, amid a sea of other tweets criticising William:

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

You have the ability to condemn racism - not just in soccer - but when it's directed at your own family members. Please use that power. It would speak volumes. https://t.co/jtLmPoSx6d

— Kristen Meinzer (she/her) (@kristenmeinzer) July 12, 2021

Wish y’all were this eager to tweet about racism as it concerned your sister in law Meghan Markle 🤔 https://t.co/8eSiPXh99n

— Atima Omara (@atima_omara) July 12, 2021

But not sickened enough to defend your own sister-in-law and nephew?

Sure. https://t.co/j1YNEF3iSG

— Morgan Jerkins (@MorganJerkins) July 12, 2021

Oh, cool! Now do one for Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Your literal sister-in-law. https://t.co/9fMbZiKBkg

— Noelle Devoe (@Noelle_CD) July 12, 2021

I’m confused. Isn’t this the same family that stood by and allowed their sister-in-law to be berated with racism and did nothing?!? Please take a seat. #WokeAFhttps://t.co/NLaofYriaA

— Danielle Moodie (@DeeTwoCents) July 12, 2021

UK PM Boris Johnson also spoke out on Twitter, writing: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”

Racism faced by Harry and Meghan

During a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey back in March, Meghan and Prince Harry were candid about the racist attacks she faced from the UK press and within the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex both admitted that the unchecked racism in the UK tabloids and alleged lack of support from the royal family were two major driving forces behind their decision to step back and move away.

Some royal watchers have questioned why William stayed silent about the racist abuse Meghan endured. Picture: AFP

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One example was how Kate Middleton was written about versus the headlines and stories about Meghan.

“Kate was called Waity Katie, waiting to marry William. While I imagine that was really hard, and I do … this is not the same and if a member of his family will comfortably say we’ve all had to deal with things that are rude. Rude and racist are not the same,” Meghan said in the interview.

The couple also claimed there were “conversations and concerns” while she was pregnant regarding the skin colour of their then-unborn child, Archie.

In its statement released after the interview aired, Buckingham Palace said the family was “saddened” to learn of the couple’s struggles and noted that the allegations surrounding race were “concerning” but added that ”some recollections may vary”.

William later followed up with a personal response. He assured reporters at an event that the royal family is “very much not a racist family”.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission