The British Royal Family’s annual Sovereign Grant report, which details the family’s finances and activities, has exposed a glaring reality: the royal family is failing to meet its diversity target. This revelation comes amidst a backdrop of controversy surrounding Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and her experience within the royal institution.
The report highlights the royal family’s ambition to foster a “diverse team of well-led, trained, motivated, and adaptable professionals.” However, despite efforts to achieve a 14% representation of ethnic minorities in the workforce, the report acknowledges the family’s continued struggle to reach this goal.
The report’s emphasis on “diversity” and “inclusivity” stands in stark contrast to the experience of Meghan Markle, who left the royal family after less than two years, citing a hostile and racially charged environment. Her departure, coupled with the royal family’s inability to reach its diversity targets, raises serious questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of their efforts to create a truly inclusive institution.
Meghan’s departure has fueled public scrutiny of the royal family’s diversity shortcomings. Her claims of racism within the family, including allegations that an unnamed member expressed concern about the skin color of her unborn child, have further fueled this debate. The royal family has been accused of “unconscious bias,” a claim corroborated by the report’s admission of failing to reach its diversity goals.
The Sovereign Grant report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges the British Royal Family faces in achieving meaningful diversity and inclusion. While efforts to promote diversity are mentioned, the absence of Meghan Markle and the ongoing struggle to reach diversity targets suggest that the institution may need a more comprehensive and impactful approach to address these critical issues.
