Piers Morgan criticises 'woke princess' Meghan Markle, calls racist abuse claims 'nonsense'

Updated

Meghan Markle has become the latest target of Piers Morgan’s controversial rants.

The Good Morning Britain host, 54, called claims the Duchess of Sussex faces racist abuse and media criticism “nonsense” and suggested that he receives more online abuse than the 38-year-old royal.

“She [Meghan] wants to be a celebrity princess, rather like Angelina Jolie would do it,” Morgan began. “Here’s the bottom line, you can’t be political and be a senior member of the royal family, there is too much hypocrisy that goes with that position.

“I’m sorry, everyone gets abuse online. I get it 10 times worse than she does, I’m sorry.

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“The other thing, this idea that it all stems from racism is nonsense. Media coverage has been negative because they persistently last year have been ranked, hypocrites.”

Morgan added: “The problem is she wants to be a woke princess. The problem with that is, the British public don’t want the royals to be woke.”

Piers Morgan dismisses claims Meghan Markle faces racist abuse. [Photo: Getty/ITV]
Piers Morgan dismisses claims Meghan Markle faces racist abuse. [Photo: Getty/ITV]

Earlier this year, Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, a close friend of Markle, told The Sunday Times it was “obvious” that racism was a reason for the criticism the Duchess faces from the press.

"Of course it has to do with racism, it's an obvious reason,” she told the publication.

In 2016, the year Prince Harry started dating Markle, then a Hollywood actor, the prince released an official statement through Kensington Palace highlighting the “wave of abuse and harassment” she had faced after news of their relationship had been brought to light, noting the “racial undertones of comment pieces”.

Markle had previously discussed her mixed heritage in a 2015 essay for Elle. She said: "My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African American. I'm half black and half white,” adding that she identifies as a “strong, confident mixed-race woman".

Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in the TV show Suits in 2015, with Sarah Rafferty (left). [Photo: Getty]
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in the TV show Suits in 2015, with Sarah Rafferty (left). [Photo: Getty]

Later in his tirade, Morgan, who has lately criticised the Duchess for everything from her no-photos Wimbledon request to her British Vogue collaboration, accused the Sussexes of “hypocrisy”.

The Duke and Duchess have lately faced criticism for undertaking four private jet journeys in 11 days, amid preaching about the dangers of climate change.

‘I’ve got no problem with Harry and Meghan being royals, flying around in private jets, taking helicopters from London to Birmingham as he’s done, going around in big gas-guzzling cars, I’ve done all those things myself,” Morgan said.

READ MORE: Prince Harry addresses private jet furore

“My problem comes when simultaneously they’re trying to be the high priest and high priestess of environmental preaching, you can’t do both.”

Harry also faced personal criticism from Morgan, who challenged the royal’s claim that he took private jets to protect his family.

"Why does that make his kid safer?” Morgan said. “I flew back to Nice airport at the same time they were, there was no problem, nobody bothers you.”

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