Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was captured leaving a hotel in Indianapolis, marking her first public appearance since allegations surfaced about racist remarks regarding her son Archie. The controversy, stemming from Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame” in its Dutch translation, implicated King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The publisher later apologized for what they deemed a “translation error,” and the books were recalled.
Despite the swirling controversy, Meghan appeared in high spirits as she exited the JW Marriott hotel, donning a stylish long green coat, black boots, and a black leather bag. Her hair pulled back in a low bun, the 41-year-old greeted fans with waves as she stepped into an SUV.
According to reports by The Express, Meghan was in Indianapolis to deliver the keynote speech at the Power of Women Summit, where she emphasized the significance of supporting women to reach their full potential. The Duchess received a standing ovation for her inspiring words during the event.
The Dutch version of Scobie’s book ignited a firestorm by naming Charles and Catherine as the royals who allegedly discussed Archie’s skin tone, reigniting conversations about racism within the British monarchy. Scobie, who wrote the English version, distanced himself from the translation, asserting that the information was not exclusive to him but known among journalists.
Scobie commented, “The reality is that this information is not privy just to me, journalists across Fleet Street have known those names for a long time.” The publisher, Xander Uitgevers, attributed the naming to a translation error, prompting the recall of the book and the announcement of a revised version on December 8th.
The accusations initially surfaced during Meghan and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, where Meghan claimed unnamed royals expressed concerns about Archie’s skin tone during her pregnancy. Prince William responded to the claims by stating, “We are very much not a racist family,” while Queen Elizabeth acknowledged differing recollections but took the issues seriously.
Meghan’s focus on women’s empowerment has been unwavering since stepping back as a senior royal. In her keynote speech at the Power of Women Summit, she commended the attendees for their efforts in advancing gender and racial equity. The Duchess highlighted the importance of solidarity among women striving for systemic change.
Despite the renewed scrutiny surrounding racism claims, Meghan appeared undeterred in Indianapolis. As she left her hotel, she took the time to smile, wave, and greet fans enthusiastically. Her commitment to her scheduled engagements underscored her dedication to the causes she is passionate about.
The former actress, who married into the British royal family in 2018, and Prince Harry stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020. After a brief period in Canada, the couple settled in Montecito, California, with their two children, securing major deals with Netflix and Spotify to produce their own content. Meghan’s public appearance amid controversy reinforces her resilience and commitment to her advocacy for women’s empowerment.