The alleged comments by the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, asking if Meghan’s baby would have ginger afro hair broke, raised many eyebrows and conflicting opinions. While most felt she meant no harm, others noted she should not have spoken about it.
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Prince Harry was only 13 years old when he was introduced to Camilla, who his father, Prince Charles, was planning to marry after the divorce and death of Princess Diana.
The idea behind Camilla meeting the princes was to ease her way into the royal family by getting accustomed to Prince Charles’s sons before their official marriage.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, visits the New Inn in The Square as she meets residents and business owners of Stamford Bridge on February 18, 2016, in York, England. | Source: Getty Images
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The meeting was scheduled to take place before the first anniversary of Princess Diana’s death and before Prince Charle’s 50th birthday. However, it was an uncomfortable event for everyone, especially Harry.
He was missing his mother so much and, throughout the event, looked like he did not want to be there.
However, years later, on his 21st birthday, Harry spoke glowingly of Camilla, calling her a great woman and someone who made their father very happy. At that point, it felt like the two had gotten along just fine; however, everything was not as it seemed.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, covers herself with an umbrella as she attends day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2019, in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images
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THE PRINCES’ FROSTY RELATIONSHIP WITH CAMILLA
After Camilla became Charles’s official wife, they tried to remake her public outlook into a favorable outcome. Charles’s private secretary Stephen Lamport worked to transform Camilla into someone loved by the people.
The latter would often create press moments, most especially during public charity events, where she would be placed in close quarters with the Queen.
Prince Charles and Camilla look at each other as they reopen the newly-renovated Edwardian community hall, The Strand Hall, during their third day visiting Wales on July 4, 2018, in Builth Wells, Wales. | Source: Getty Images
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One of the tactics they also used was to portray that Camilla had a good relationship with Harry and Charles; however, that was far from the truth. The pair tolerated her at best, and their relationship was not as good as they made out to be in public.
During his early thirties, Harry often complained to his friends about Camilla converting his old bedroom at Highgrove and his father’s Gloucestershire estate into her elaborate dressing room.
CAMILLA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MEGHAN
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attends The Prince’s Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on November 23, 2018, in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images
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When Prince Harry first brought Meghan Markle home to meet the royals, the former actress bonded well with her soon-to-be father-in-law and his wife, Camilla.
Meghan bonded with Prince Charles because they both shared a love for classical music, architecture, and sustainable organic food. On the other hand, she and Camilla clicked based on their love of wine and yoga.
Camilla and Meghan attend The Prince of Wales’ 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
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Their relationship was so good that when Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in 2017, Camilla spoke glowingly of the latter. The Duchess of Cornwall told reporters:
“America’s loss is our gain. We are all absolutely delighted.”
She also explained that the pair’s engagement had created a bit of joy and good news in a season where they had been surrounded by bad news.
After Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, she had to learn the ways and protocols of the Royal family. However, Camilla was one of the first people to extend a hand of friendship to her.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, make their way along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of the Trooping the Colour ceremony, as The Queen celebrates her official birthday. | Source: Getty Images
The Duchess of Cornwall had been in her position when she freshly married Charles. But, like Meghan, she also had divorced her first husband before marrying into the Royal family.
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Also, during a garden party at Buckingham Palace held in honor of Charles’s 70th birthday, as Meghan and Harry were leaving, Camilla grabbed Meghan’s hand and kissed her goodbye.
Prince Charles and Camilla visit Sandringham Flower Show 2018 at Sandringham House on July 25, 2018, in King’s Lynn, England. | Source: Getty Images
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According to author Andrew Morton Camilla’s actions were a rare gesture of genuine affection to show that Meghan had been wholly welcomed into the royal family and was now one of them.
Months after Meghan and Harry’s wedding, reports emerged that Camilla and Meghan got on surprisingly well. The Duchess of Cornwall even took Meghan to private lunches and offered her advice on how to deal with the duties and pressure of being a royal.
Due to her own backlash from having an affair with Prince Charles before their marriage, Camilla had a lot of first-hand experience and advice to give Meghan.
Camilla on a visit to meet members of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, before their imminent deployment to Afghanistan, at the base in Colchester, Essex, on Friday, March 3, 2006. | Source: Getty Images
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Even in 2019, after the birth of Meghan and Harry’s first child, when the former complained during a tour of South Africa that she was just living and not existing, Camilla supported her behind the scenes.
After Meghan and Harry’s controversial interview aired, Camilla was reportedly surprised at how much the couple was going through. The Duchess wanted everyone to be happy, and she did not like seeing anyone struggling, especially Meghan, who she liked very much.
Prince Charles gestures as he sits next to his wife Camilla and his son Prince Harry during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games at Queen Elizabeth II Park in London on September 10, 2014. | Source: Getty Images
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However, soon after, their relationship started getting strained. It all started when Meghan reportedly upset Camilla.
The Duchess of Cornwall had been planning a speech on the 10th anniversary of the Women of the World Festival in London for almost a year. So, she wanted the focus to be on her campaign against abuse. Yet, Meghan insisted pictures of her private visit to the National Theatre be published the same day.
Although Palace officials kept mute about their alleged row, there were reports that Camilla felt offended because everyone had agreed that her speech should take precedence; however, Meghan refused to listen and insisted her pictures be published.
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Camilla attends day 2, ‘Ladies Day’ of the Cheltenham Festival 2020 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 11, 2020, in Cheltenham, England. | Source: Getty Images
There were also reports that Camilla was always suspicious of Meghan and was not wholly convinced the latter was willing to sacrifice her career and independence to serve a monarchy.
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Later on, when the Duchess of Cornwall was asked if she would miss Harry and Meghan left their royal duties, Camilla paused for a while before replying “Course,” and walking away.
Camilla attended the ICAP charity day at ICAP on December 5, 2017, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
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CAMILLA WAS ACCUSED OF MAKING AN OFFENSIVE COMMENT
After Harry and Mehan’s exit from the Royal family, reports emerged that during a meeting between Harry and his father and stepmother, the latter had allegedly asked if it would be funny if his unborn mixed-race child had ‘ginger Afro-hair.’
The comment made Meghan angry, and it was deemed racist of Camilla to make such an inflammatory comment. However, sources close to the Duchess of Cornwall called the allegation “nonsense.”
Camilla attended the QIPCO King George Diamond Day, where she presented the prizes to the winners of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, at Ascot Racecourse on July 23, 2022, in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images
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People who saw the news were also divided in their opinions on if they thought Camilla’s comments were controversial. Some people felt Camilla meant no offense with her comments, including a Facebook user Brenda Kussan who wrote:
“I don’t see what’s wrong with that comment. He has ginger hair.. .nothing wrong with that. she is mixed race..nothing wrong with that. Why is it taboo to wonder if the baby might have ginger afro style hair?”
Also, another user Rob Simons reinforced the opinion by noting:
“Nothing wrong with that at all.”
Another Facebook user Vanessa Lelah championed the same opinion. She wrote:
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“So what? My son had a ginger Afro. And? That’s not racist. It takes a racist person to think that. Camilla was just curious. It’s only natural for people to wonder what colouring a Child would have if they are mixed race. This is in no way racist. We all think that. We all ask that even of our own children. The only one who is racist is Meghan herself for thinking this way.”
Camilla attended Princess Charlotte of Cambridge’s Christening at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, on July 5, 2015. | Source: Getty Images
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Vanessa Lelah continued by accusing Megahn of describing her race as caucasian throughout her teenage years and even when applying to schools. Meanwhile, other people thought Camilla should not be making such comments, including Shastri Shoon, who penned:
“Racism is still very much alive and well in the UK. I cannot help but wonder why people are so into this couple. It as though, community commentators are close friends with Harry and Meghan. Wasn’t Camilla the outside woman at one point in time? I don’t think Diana would of even suggested or even though about that saying such a thing.”
Manuela Bruno also quipped:
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“Camilla, think before you speak.”
Camilla attended a reception to mark the Royal Commonwealth Society’s 150th anniversary at Lancaster House on October 17, 2018, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
So did Gracie Lopez, who noted Camilla should not have gotten involved by writing:
“It isn’t any of her business what color of hair he has.”
Based on reports and recent accusations against Camilla, it is fair to observe that her once cordial relationship with Meghan has deteriorated.
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