Rep. Mondaire Jones has praised Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after her sensational interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on Sunday night.
The Democratic congressman, who is Black and represents New York's 17th congressional district, tweeted that Meghan "is bringing down an entire empire" by speaking out in a tell-all interview with Winfrey, where she and Prince Harry described how racism drove them to quit royal life.
"Meghan Markle is bringing down an entire empire tonight, and I'm here for it," Jones tweeted. He has been contacted for additional comment.
Meghan Markle is bringing down an entire empire tonight, and I’m here for it.
— Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) March 8, 2021
In one of the interview's most stunning claims, Meghan—who is biracial—suggested that the couple's son Archie had been denied the title of prince because of concerns about "how dark" his skin might be.
During her pregnancy, there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born," Meghan told a stunned Winfrey.
Prince Harry confirmed that the conversation took place, saying he was "a bit shocked" by it, but he refused to disclose who had made the comment.
Meghan also revealed she felt isolated and had suicidal thoughts following negative press coverage, and described how she was rebuffed when she sought help for her mental health from the palace's human resources department.
The couple's revelations have dominated news coverage and social media since the interview aired in the U.S. on Sunday evening, with hashtags such as #AbolishTheMonarchy trending on Twitter on both sides of the Atlantic.
America's youngest inaugural poet, 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, described Meghan as the British monarchy's "greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era." But Gorman added that "they didn't just maltreat her light—they missed out on it."
Tennis star Serena Williams, a friend of Meghan's, also expressed support, noting that she has firsthand experience of the "sexism and racism [that] institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color."
"Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life—and leads by example—with empathy and compassion," Williams wrote. "She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she's experienced."
Bernice King, the daughter of the late civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., also pointed out that Meghan was an example of how becoming a royal was not enough to protect from the "devastation and despair" of racism.
"Royalty is not a shield from the devastation and despair of racism. #MeghanMarkle," she tweeted.
