Queen Elizabeth.Photo: STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Image
According to a new report, Buckingham Palace apparently banned “coloured immigrants or foreigners” from serving in roles for the British royal family until at least the late 1960s.
Citing unearthed documents from the U.K.’s National Archive,The Guardianreported Wednesday thatQueen Elizabeth’s chief financial manager informed civil servants in 1968 that “it was not, in fact, the practice to appoint coloured immigrants or foreigners” to clerical roles in the royal household. However, they were permitted to work as domestic servants.
Documents also showed that in the 1970s, palace aides negotiated with government officials to exempt the royal household from laws prohibiting discriminatory hiring practices on the basis of race and sex, according toThe Guardianreport.
Buckingham Palace.Kate Green/Anadolu Agency via Getty
“Claims based on a second-hand account of conversations from over 50 years ago should not be used to draw or infer conclusions about modern day events or operations,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson toldE! Newsin response to the report. “The principles of Crown Application and Crown Consent are long established and widely known.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Commonwealth Day 2020.Chris Jackson/Getty
In theirinterview with Oprah Winfreyon March 7,Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryopened up about Meghan experiencing racism within the royal family. The Duchess of Sussex revealed there were “concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie’s] skin might be when he’s born.”
In the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview, the palace responded in a statement that addressed the issue of race.
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”
A few days later,Prince Williamdefended the family against the racist claims,telling a reporter, “We are not a racist family.”
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Last month, it was reported that the Queen is considering the appointment of a diversity officer at the palace.
“Certainly the idea of someone to spearhead this work and look at diversity and inclusion across the three households is something that has to be considered,” asource told PEOPLE. “It is too early, however, for any firm plans to be announced. We are listening and learning to get this right.”
source: people.com
