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A bombshell Netflix trailer and a growing feud within the royal family have overshadowed Prince William and Kate’s first overseas trip since the Queen’s death.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are on a three-day trip to the US to host the Earthshot Prize.
But the eyes of the world were online when Prince Harry and Meghan released a sixty-second clip for their new docu-series.
The teaser hinted at more damaging claims after they told US TV host Oprah Winfrey last year that there were “concerns and conversations” within the royal family about how dark their then-unborn son Archie’s skin might be.
“I had to do everything I could to protect my family,” the Duke of Sussex says in the ad as piano music plays and images are shown of Meghan with her head in her hands and wiping away tears.
“Nobody sees what goes on behind closed doors,” Harry adds. Meghan says: “When the stakes are so high, doesn’t it make sense to hear our story from us?”
The scenes are interspersed with stony-faced images, including William and Kate – whose visit to the US to promote the charity Earthshot has been overshadowed by the palace run.
The Prince and Princess of Wales even had to sit through a sermon about racism from an African-American pastor at an event.
“On this day, I invite all of us to consider the legacy of colonialism and racism,” Reverend Mariama White-Hammond told them. “The narratives were lost, the species became extinct, but also the endurance of people in the face of oppression and the basic dignity of all our relationships.”
The couple met up at a basketball game in Boston on their first overseas trip since the Queen’s death, when news of the scandal was picked up by the US media.
They were still across the Atlantic when William released a statement condemning Lady Susan Hussey’s words at a Buckingham Palace reception for groups opposing violence against women hosted by Camilla, the Queen Consort, on Tuesday.
The late Queen’s maid had approached Ngozi Fulani, the head of a Hackney-based domestic violence charity, and repeatedly demanded to know “where are you from?”
Fulani told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It was like an interrogation. I really have to question how this can happen in a space that is supposed to protect women from all kinds of violence.
“Even if it’s not physical violence – it’s an assault.”
Mrs Fulani denied claims by the palace – repeated last night – that it reached out to her afterwards.
And she rejected suggestions 83-year-old Lady Susan’s age could be a mitigating factor.
“Let’s be clear about what this is,” she said. “I’ve heard so many suggestions that it’s about her age and things like that, and I think that’s kind of disrespectful – an ageism.
“I am very proud of my African heritage. This is like the Windrush thing for me. You’re trying to make me unwelcome in my own room.’ Nazir Afzal, a former chief Crown prosecutor, said Lady Susan asked him the same question, tweeting: “She only asked me my heritage once and seemed to accept my answer – Manchester at the moment”. He added: “Racism is never very far away.”
Prince William’s statement said “racism has no place in our society”, adding: “The comments were unacceptable and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect.”
Buckingham Palace insisted it took the incident “extremely seriously” as it quickly sacked Lady Susan after 62 years in the job. “In this case, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made,” it added.
“All members of the household are reminded of the diversity and inclusion policy that they are required to uphold at all times.” William has not seen Harry since his grandmother’s funeral in September. They are not expected to meet on the US tour.
William and Kate were later given a warmer welcome when they visited a climate technology firm in Boston, Massachusetts, and were given a bouquet by Henry Dynov-Teixeira, eight, dressed as a grenadier guard.
The prince remained focused on his environmental award during his visit to the labs near Boston and issued a warning, saying: ‘For all of us, time is ticking.’
Speaking to some of last year’s Earthshot finalists, he praised them for their ground-breaking work, adding: “As time goes on, I keep saying ‘come on, we’ve got to move faster and faster’.”
The couple are seen in the Netflix trailer with Harry and Meghan at a Commonwealth Day service in 2019 at Westminster Abbey. Viewers seemed to stand on them as they criticized the Sussexes.
MORE: William and Kate heckled by protesters during US tour
MORE: William and Kate ‘distressed’ by Meghan and Harry Netflix trailer, claims royal expert
MORE: Rishi Sunak says ‘racism must be confronted’ after royal race battle
Greentown is believed to be the largest climate technology startup incubator in North America, having supported more than 500 companies since its foundation in 2011, creating more than 9,000 jobs and raising more than $4 billion in funding.
In contrast to the drama in Britain, there was a lighter moment during the visit when the couple met eight-year-old Henry Dynov-Teixeira who was dressed as a guardsman in a replica scarlet tunic and bearskin.
The youngster presented Kate with a bunch of red roses and said he was “thrilled” to meet the royals in person.
“I’m going to scream and tell my best friend that I’m now famous,” Henry added.
Hi mum Irina, who visited London this summer with her son, said: ‘He saw Changing of the Guard on a visit to London and wore it for Halloween.’
MORE: BBC presenter criticized for downplaying royal race as ‘ill-judged blunder’
MORE: Lady Susan Hussey quits royal role after she kept asking a black woman where she’s really from
Later, William praised the ‘incredible’ work of Roca, a not-for-profit organization which supports disadvantaged young people at risk of or involved in urban violence.
When the couple visited the organization, they received a rousing welcome as they took their first trip on the US tour in Chelsea, a short drive from Boston, with a young woman who collapsed in tears.
She did not want to give her name, but repeatedly grabbed Kate’s hand and thanked her for all she did.
Later in an impromptu speech, William described the organisation’s work as “incredible” and said the team was inspiring, adding: “We’ve really enjoyed making this connection today.”
Inside the organization’s building, the couple were introduced to Molly Baldwin, CEO of Roca, who began her professional life as a youth worker, founding the organization in 1988 to work with a small group of high-risk youth.
William said: “It’s trying to get the message across that there is a gray area between when you look at a young person and see a gap between the potential they have and the problems they cause.
“How do we deal with it as a society? There is so much going on in between, and there is so much potential there.
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