MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

BBC slammed for omitting Meghan, Archie mentions from Harry’s tribute to Prince Philip: ‘It’s racially motivated’

When the royal correspondent for BBC, Jonny Dymond, chose to cover Harry's statement, he left out a crucial part of the tribute which mentioned his wife, Meghan Markle, son Archie and unborn daughter, and this caused an uproar on Twitter

BBC or the British Broadcasting Corporation was blasted by people on social media on Tuesday, April 13, after it decided to publish an edited version of Prince Harry's tribute to Prince Philip, who passed away last week. 

On Tuesday, both princes William and Harry paid heartfelt tributes to their grandfather in their own ways. While William stuck to releasing a more formal-sounding statement, Harry took a more informal approach to the same. William's statement was uploaded with a cute picture of the Duke of Edinburgh sitting with Prince George on the official Instagram page of the Kensington Palace and Harry's message was uploaded on the Archewell foundation's website. When royal correspondent for BBC, Jonny Dymond, chose to cover Harry's statement, he left out a crucial part of the tribute which caused an uproar on Twitter.

READ MORE

Did William take a dig at Harry? His tribute to Prince Philip speaks of family, duty and has deeper meaning

Harry gave 'cheeky' Prince Philip a loving tribute but Prince William only spoke 'about himself', says Internet

"Paying tribute to his grandfather, Prince Harry said: 'He was authentically himself, with a serious sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm - and also because you never knew what he might say next. He will be remembered as the longest-reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince, and a duke. But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right 'til the end,'" BBC's coverage read. 

Readers noticed that the last paragraph of Harry's statement which mentioned his wife, Meghan Markle, son Archie and unborn daughter was missing from BBC's version. The last bit of the Duke of Sussex's statement read, "He has been a rock for Her Majesty The Queen with unparalleled devotion, by her side for 73 years of marriage, and while I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, 'Oh do get on with it!' So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself. You will be sorely missed, but always remembered by the nation and the world. Meghan, Archie, and I (as well as your future great-granddaughter) will always hold a special place for you in our hearts."

The British news broadcasting channel was slammed by angry supporters of Meghan who called BBC "racist." Some of them also commented saying the outlet was deliberately choosing to broadcast photographs and videos of Harry from before he got married to Meghan during their coverage of Prince Philip's death. 

'BBC's hatred for Meghan is racially motivated'

"Dishonest BBC. Their role in perpetuating racism, and UK's indirect and direct colonialism in black Africa is well known. BBC's hatred for Meghan is racially motivated, and extended to Harry unfortunately. Bom Ba Clat!!! (BBC)" one of them said, while another commented, "They want to write the narrative that Harry left Meghan, pregnant & alone in California. They rather have the narrative that Harry is a deadbeat dad rather than a responsible adult who fell in love with his wife & protected his family from the racist vultures who never loved him." A third wrote, "Can’t believe BBC cut out Archie and Meghan and new baby.. hope Harry saw that."

The next wrote, "@BBC why have you omitted the last paragraph of Prince Harry's tribute for his grandfather. The part where he mentions Meghan and Archie?" One more said, "The @BBCNews reproduced Prince Harry’s statement about his grandfather but cut out the bit where he mentions Meghan, Archie and his unborn daughter. This is the state broadcaster manipulating someone else’s words to deny a black woman of her humanity. Let that sink in!!"

A commenter tweeted, "Not the BBC deliberately erasing Meghan, Archie, and baby number 2 from Harry’s statement and only showing videos of Harry and his family before he married Meghan. Then they want to tell us that they are not racist and that this isn’t about her race. Sure, Jan." A person reacted with, "Harry and William yesterday issued separate statements about their grandfather’s death. For some strange reason, only from Harry’s statement @BBC
removed the mention of Meghan, Archie, and the upcoming baby girl. Why?"