‘Terribly white’: Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh speaks out after white royals comment

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh has copped huge backlash over coronation comments as both criticism and support for the actress pours in.

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh was slammed over a royals comment on coronation day.

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh has backed down from comments made on live TV as millions across the UK tuned in to watch the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Coverage of the event was broadcasted on numerous channels, with British free-to-air public broadcast television network ITV providing extensive coverage of the day’s events.

Starting from the early morning, the channel aired a special edition of Good Morning Britain, followed by a dedicated program that was anchored by presenters Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham.

When asked about her thoughts on the coronation, Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh said: 'We have gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony.’ Picture: ITV

The duo was joined by a host of guests, including reporters on The Mall, where thousands of people gathered to witness the newly crowned monarchs.

However, the day’s proceedings were briefly marred by a comment made by Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh during the channel’s coverage.

After the royal family appeared on the balcony, ITV cut to their temporary studio for reactions.

When asked for her thoughts, Andoh remarked: “We have gone from the rich diversity of the Abbey to a terribly white balcony. I am very struck by that. I am also looking at those younger generations and thinking: ‘What are the nuances that they will inhabit when they grow?’”

Fans slammed the Bridgerton star’s comments. Picture: Oli Scarff

The comment stunned the ITV presenters, and Myleene Klass was seen staring at the actor as she spoke.

The clip was later shared on Twitter, where it received a mixed response. Some people criticised Andoh for her words, while others applauded her for speaking out.

“They are a white family, for goodness sake! Does she think individual families should be subject to diversity quotas?” one person wrote on Twitter.

A second added: “I’m so confused by Adjoa Andoh. What did she expect to see? The royal family is a white family!”

The Bridgerton actor was joined alongside ITV hosts Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham on the day of the coronation. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Image

“Can’t believe a white family would be … white. The audacity!” Sky News host Rita Panahi sarcastically tweeted.

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a high-profile lawyer and political activist who herself frequents ITV panels, defended Andoh’s comments, claiming she “told no lies”.

#AdjoaAndoh told no lies in factual observation of ‘terribly White’ (literal & symbolic) Buckingham palace balcony at #Coronation in contrast to tokenism of race diversity at Westminster Abbey & got branded ‘racist’

White people false equivalence of racism is laughable😂 https://t.co/awrFUksnsv

— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) May 7, 2023

“Adjoa Andoh told no lies in [her] factual observation of [the] ‘terribly white’ (literal and symbolic) Buckingham Palace balcony at the coronation in contrast to tokenism of race diversity at Westminster Abbey and got branded ‘racist’.

“White people false equivalence of racism is laughable.

“Even if Adjoa Andoh spent 99.99 per cent [of her time] on TV adulating King Charles and [the] British monarchy, that one observation of ‘White Balcony’ erases it because for racists she doesn’t know her place.”

Adjoa Andoh plays Lady Danbury in Netflix TV series Bridgerton.

Andoh responded to the backlash the following day during an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday morning show with Paddy O’Connell.

“I think I upset a few people yesterday,” she said.

“I was talking about the day and how marvellous it was, and then looking at the balcony at the end and suddenly going: ‘Oh, it’s so white!’ because the day had been so mixed, and I didn’t mean to upset anybody.”