Meghan Markle was ‘too good’ for the monarchy and ‘a smiling face in the dull institution’ says Hilary Mantel
MEGHAN Markle was “too good” for the monarchy and was the victim of “abominable racism”, according to Wolf Hall author Dame Hilary Mantel.
The writer has spoken out about the Duchess of Sussex, 38, stepping back from royal life, saying the actress was a “smiling face in a dull institution.”
British Booker Prize-winning Hilary, 67, whose book trilogy unpacks the life of Thomas Cromwell and the court of Henry VIII, said that Meghan’s departure is a loss.
She told : “I’m pleased that it’s the marriage that is surviving and the connection with the monarchy that has to go, because I think almost all of us would have bet that if she left, she’d have to leave alone.
“None of us know the details of how this is going to work out. But I think that Meghan was too good to be true. She was a smiling face in a dull institution, she cheered the nation up no end, or at least men and women of good will.
“I do think abominable racism has been involved. People who say that’s got nothing to do with it - well, they need to check their privilege.”
Hilary previously was criticised in 2013 for a speech in which she described the Duchess of Cambridge, 38, as a “shop-window mannequin.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced in January they would be stepping down as senior royals and splitting their time between the UK and North America.
Hilary also spoke to this week about the racism she feels Meghan suffered in the public eye.
She said: “I hesitate to call her a victim. But I think there has been an element of racism in the invective against her.
"I think it's more deeply embedded in people's consciousness than any of us are willing to admit.”
Prince Harry himself spoke out in 2016 about coverage of Meghan saying there was “racial undertones.”
Royal farewell
March 5: Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the Endeavour Fund awards at Mansion House in London for wounded soldiers
March 6: Harry will attend the opening of a new Silverstone Racing museum with Lewis Hamilton
March 7: Harry and Meghan will be at the Royal Albert Hall for the Mountbatten Music Festival for Royal Marines charities
March 8: Meghan will take part in events to mark International Women's Day
March 9: The couple will join the Queen and other royals - including Kate and Wills - at Westminster Abbey for a Commonwealth Day service. It will be the final official appearance by the 'Fab Four'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will officially leave royal duties this month, after a handful of engagements this week.
Their last official engagement is expected to be the annual Commonwealth Day Service on March 9 with the Queen, Kate and Prince William.
They will then head back to Vancouver to start their new, "financially independent" life.
Hilary’s new book, The Mirror and the Light, is the third and long-awaited final installment in the Wolf Hall trilogy.
The previous two books in the series, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, both won the Booker Prize.
If her new book also gets honoured, she will be the first author in history to win the award three times.
The Mirror & the Light is to be published on 5 March. The April issue of Harper's Bazaar is on sale from March, 4, 2020.
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