'Clutching at straws': Internet debunks racism claims after King Charles appears to snub Black man in video
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: A viral video showing King Charles greeting the public lined up to see the Queen lying-in-state has been making the rounds on Twitter. The video shows the king seemingly snubbing a person of color, ignoring his outstretched hands while shaking hands with others beside him.
The video has garnered mixed opinions on the interaction. While some people, including the Twitter user who originally posted it, have been quick to label the monarch a racist, others have defended Charles. The viral post has been captioned, "Black man, you are on your own."
RELATED ARTICLES
Is Prince Charles Meghan Markle's 'royal racist'? New book makes SHOCKING allegation
Black man, you are on your own . pic.twitter.com/4Ely5WOGnj
— Obakeng Ramabodu (@RamaboduObakeng) September 19, 2022
The caption suggests that the man, who appeared to be among the few people of color present, did not get a personal interaction with Charles despite being right in front of the king while others around him received his attention. While some felt the King ignored the man on purpose, most differed.
One user wrote, "He did touch him with his left hand... and he looked distracted... context is missing... but it was not good optics." Defending Charles, someone else said, "I've watched this several times today. If you look carefully it looks like he is shaking people's hands with both his hands. Watch his left hand. I'm not a Royalist but there's enough real issues to raise about the Royals without clutching at straws."
He did touch him with his left hand... and he looked distracted... context is missing... but it was not good optics.
— 🐒Monkey🐵Jean🐒 (@_MonkeyJean_) September 20, 2022
I've watched this several times today. If you look carefully it looks like he is shaking people's hands with both his hands. Watch his left hand. I'm not a Royalist but there's enough real issues to raise about the Royals without clutching at straws.
— Sue Barnish 💙 (@SueBarnish) September 20, 2022
One user pointed out how the video has been posted in an attempt to gather clout, using the person of color as clickbait. "King Charles III shook the hands of many black people on that day lol nice try at racism click bait," they wrote. Someone else observed, "He eventually acknowledged him by touching him now, Nawa oh Obviously he was distracted as he got to them but he did acknowledge him just like he did his neighbor."
King Charles III shook the hands of many black people on that day lol nice try at racism click baithttps://t.co/GCCZ2RbA9e
— metacognition (@Sleeky_Prince_) September 19, 2022
He eventually acknowledged him by touching him now, Nawa oh
— Omalicha 🥰🥰🥰 (@NonyeKings) September 19, 2022
Obviously he was distracted as he got to them but he did acknowledge him just like he did his neighbor 🤦♀️
This comes after Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex claimed to have faced instances of racism from within the royal family soon after her wedding to Prince Harry. During her podcast 'Archetypes', she claimed to have been treated as a "Black woman", especially after her relationship with Harry. She is often regarded as one of the first biracial people to marry into the senior branch of the British monarchy.
Notably, King Charles III has a long history of association with the Black community in Britain. He was honored for his work with them when he was invited to guest-edit Britain's only Black newspaper, 'The Voice' for its 40th-anniversary edition, Newsweek reports. Charles, in his Editor's letter, lauded the newspaper for their role in ensuring "Britain's Black communities have been heard," adding that he was grateful to contribute to their discussions.