Fury as French magazine Charlie Hebdo uses George Floyd’s death to mock the Queen and Meghan Markle’s racism concerns
FRENCH magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked fury after they used George Floyd’s death to mock the Queen and Meghan Markle’s racism concerns.
The satirical mag published a cover showing a cartoon caricature of the Queen kneeling on Meghan Markle’s neck - mirroring the death of George Floyd.
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The headline on the disturbing front page read: “Why Meghan left Buckingham…”
A speech bubble shows Meghan replying “because I couldn’t breathe anymore” when translated into English - which is a reference to George Floyd death.
The 46-year-old was pinned to the ground by four officers before Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes, despite his repeated protests that he could not breathe in May 2020.
It comes after Meghan Markle said Archie wasn't made a prince after "concerns and conversations" about "how dark" his skin would be when he was born.
The Duchess of Sussex said there had been conversations with Prince Harry and a "family" member about their unborn son and what colour his skin would be - and "what that would mean or look like".
But the 39-year-old declined to say who had started those conversations, saying it would be "damaging" for them.
Now the cover has sparked outrage with people on social media accusing the mag of using Mr Floyd’s death to make money.
CEO of the race equality think tank, Runnymede Trust, Dr Halima Begum slammed the cartoon as “wrong on every level.”
She tweeted: “#CharlieHebdo, this is wrong on every level.
“The Queen as #GeorgeFloyd 's murderer crushing Meghan's neck? #Meghan saying she's unable to breathe?
“This doesnt push boundaries, make anyone laugh or challenge #racism. It demeans the issues & causes offence, across the board.”
Meanwhile campaign group Windrush Anchor posted: "A poor and ill-conceived response from #CharlieHebdo which if anything inflames the issue.
“This brand of simplistic satire has no place in the fight against racism. Utterly appalling and deeply saddening."
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The stoic Queen released a carefully-worded statement on Tuesday evening saying she was "saddened" by the interview but "recollections may vary".
And this week Prince William has sensationally hit back at Meghan Markle and Harry - insisting the Royal family is "very much NOT racist".
A stern-looking Wills revealed he still hasn't spoken to his brother four days after his bombshell Oprah interview - but in a warning for Harry he pointedly added: "But I will do."