“If you listen to what Meghan says, it’s not about them worrying if the baby is dark or not, it’s them worrying about how the public are going to view that.”
Former England and Liverpool footballer argues that the majority of black people would say “so what?” in response to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealing that they discussed the skin color of their then-unborn child.
According to John Barnes, the Royal Family member who talked about how dark Harry and Meghan’s baby will be was only being honest about the state of British culture.
The former England and Liverpool player claimed that when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex recalled the query during an appearance with Oprah Winfrey, the majority of black people responded, “So what?”
Meghan revealed that the Royal Family had “several conversations” about how dark their baby’s skin should be in the run-up to Archie Mountbatten-birth. Windsor’s
She said: “In those months when I was pregnant (there were) concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born.”
Harry, who was there for the conversations and communicated them to Meghan, added: “That conversation, I am never going to share.
“At the time it was awkward, I was a bit shocked.”
The findings sparked outrage, speculation about who posed the inquiry, and a response from Prince William, who informed reporters:
“We are very much not a racist family”.
Barnes, a father of seven who is married to a white lady, stated that the majority of black people would anticipate such a dialogue.
In an interview about his new book, The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism, he told The Times:
“If you listen to what Meghan says, it’s not about them worrying if the baby is dark or not, it’s them worrying about how the public are going to view that.
“Because they know if the baby is too dark, the public will not view the baby as positively. They’re being realistic.
“Let’s not pretend the public won’t care whether it’s a blond-haired blue-eyed baby or jet black, because they will.”
Barnes continued by stating that he was not a fan of Meghan and Harry, before implying that such an opinion may lead to people being falsely labelled racist.
Additionally, he stated that his family idolized Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Princess Diana, whom he compared to a goddess.
Barnes has divided opinion in recent years with his interventions on the subject of race.
During his prime as one of England’s most skilled players, a photograph of him backheeling a banana off the pitch during a Merseyside derby became an iconic anti-racism picture.
He has recently defended Liam Neeson for speaking out about his wish to harm a black man following the rape of someone close to him.
Barnes lauded the actor for his honesty and openness regarding his unconscious bias.
He would later speak out in defence of Peter Beardsley, the Newcastle under-23 coach who made racist comments to young black players.
“I’m not an apologist,” Barnes told the Guardian two years ago.
“I give balanced, constructive views and what happens is that bits and pieces of what I say are used against me.
“For a long time John Barnes was seen as the voice of reason when it came to race.
“John Barnes hasn’t changed; what’s changed is the reporting of John Barnes.”
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