Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan Markle, have brought up a lot of important issues to the forefront since leaving the working royal life in early 2020.
Critics have blasted them for their interviews filled with revelations, but they gave a little insight into what happens behind the scenes in the British monarchy.
One area where their conversations really had an impact is the issue of race and the need to look at the matter with honesty.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, through their personal stories, have forced the Royal Family to look at racism in a different light.
Even Prince William was put in an uncomfortable position where he was forced to utter these words: “We’re very much not a racist family.”
Looking at racism also means addressing the role of the monarchy in slavery and colonialism. The Sussexes’ presence in the media made it impossible for King Charles III to ignore these issues.
The new Monarch seems aware that addressing race relations is important. He has signaled that he is ready to make this a big part of his agenda.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had a state visit where he exchanged with members of the Royal Family. During a speech at a state banquet to mark the occasion, King Charles let his feelings on slavery be known.
King Charles wants to keep “working together across our countries and our generations” to “tackle some of the greatest challenges of our times.”
The Sovereign also stated: “While there are elements of that history which provoke profound sorrow, it is essential that we seek to understand them. As I said to Commonwealth leaders earlier this year, we must acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past if we are to unlock the power of our common future.”
There is some alignment between what the King said and what Kerry Kennedy recently stated when talking about why the Sussexes are receiving an important award from the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation.
Kennedy shared: “They went to the oldest institution in UK history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn’t have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health.”
She continued: “Few would have the courage to question their colleagues, family, and community about the power structure they maintained, and this is what Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have done.”
Despite the fact King Charles is endorsing some of the couple’s talking points and ideas, the divide between the two sides remains quite wide.
A reconciliation is clearly not in the picture anytime soon.
