Prince Philip's racist past: Social media sharpens its knives over old scandals amid Meghan Markle controversy
The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh has been hospitalized since February 17. Battling an infection, Prince Philip's current stay is his longest in hospital. Those facts haven't deterred social media users from criticizing him over old comments in light of the explosive Meghan and Harry interview. In the interview, Meghan hinted at questions over Archie's skin color, prompting many to ask if that came from the Prince.
Oprah later clarified that neither Prince Philip nor the Queen were the source of those questions, though Harry declined to say who was. Nonetheless, the internet found the oppportunity to attack Prince Philip over his past. He has reportedly been caught multiple times on camera making degrading comments during his many tours and visits.
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Some of those old comments have now come back to haunt him and the royal family, as the fallout from the Oprah interview continues. Buckingham Palace is also battling rumors around Philip's health, with many convinced he is dying. There are also reports that Harry has been asked to come and see his grandfather, further adding fuel to the fire.
Prince Phillip's racist past in the spotlight
The prince has, for a very long time, been reportedly perceived as racist by the press and public. He has reportedly been known to make off-the-cuff remarks, passed off as jokes during his long time performing official duties. Looking back, many of these comments can be percieved as racist, but for the longest time the press, public and even the palace passed it off has the Prince's humor.
The royal family hasn't explicitly apologised for its past either, which is what many seem to be taking offense with today. In 1986, during a visit to China, he reportedly told exchange students in Xian "If you stay here much longer you will all be slitty-eyed." In 1995, he reportedly asked a Scottish driving instructor, "how do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?"
In 1999, he reportedly asked Lord Taylor of Warwick, who is originally from Jamaica "And what exotic part of the world do you come from?” During a 2002 visit to Australia, he reportedly asked the leader of an Aboriginal tribe "do you still throw spears at each other?” When he met the then-President of Nigeria in 2003, he apparently remarked "You look like you’re ready for bed!” The President was dressed in the nation's traditional wear for the event.
This is just a small sample of the Prince's reportedly colorful past. It's easy to see why they would resurface now after Meghan's shocking revelations.
Twitter says he is a 'well known racist'
As the palace struggles to respond to the accusations by Meghan and Harry, Twitter has decided that the racist comments originated from Prince Philip. Despite confirmation to the contrary, many believe that Prince Philip is responsible for the questions about Archie's skin color. "Prince Phillip is a well known racist by us in the Commonwealth. It's actually Commonwealth Day today for us up here in Canada," one user tweeted.
Another said, "Any racist comments from the royal household must surely come from prince Phillip. He has got serious form (on camera) for making racist remarks." One user said "Sorry but it sounds like Prince Phillip, among others, is a racist little shit and they can no longer cover it up. I don't know if the English crown will be able to survive the dorection that this is heading."
Another commented "Prince Phillip is an old school racist, Prince Andrew is up to his eyebrows with Jeffery Epstein, Charles leaves his wife for another woman, but Harry falling in love with a woman of color and standing up for her is the real problem here, according to the British press. Got it."
Prince Phillip is a well known racist by us in the Commonwealth.
— Kerri (@Kerri_Deeee) March 9, 2021
It's actually Commonwealth Day today for us up here in Canada.
Any racist comments from the royal household must surely come from prince Phillip. He has got serious form (on camera) for making racist remarks.
— italian spiderman. (@talianspiderman) March 9, 2021
Sorry but it sounds like Prince Phillip, among others, is a racist little shit and they can no longer cover it up. I don't know if the English crown will be able to survive the dorection that this is heading.
— Kylan Hurt (@CaptainCryptoHD) March 9, 2021
Prince Phillip is an old school racist, Prince Andrew is up to his eyebrows with Jeffery Epstein, Charles leaves his wife for another woman, but Harry falling in love with a woman of color and standing up for her is the real problem here, according to the British press.
— Rob continues to ruin everything (@RobContinues) March 9, 2021
Got it.
There have been no major updates to his situation, but now the accusations by Meghan and Harry have overtaken all concerns for his health.