The Windsors’ “Royal Collection” is a catch-all for all of the artwork, jewels, jewelry, historical documents and antiquities they’ve stolen, looted or been “given” for centuries. The Windsors are very squirrelly about the Royal Collection, and there has never been – to my knowledge – a full audit of just how many priceless pieces of art, antiquities and jewels they actually “own,” nevermind a full accounting of where those pieces come from and whether those pieces should be given back. Well, over time, the Royal Collection Trust – the gatekeepers of the Royal Collection – have tried to document just how many pieces there are, which is how a catalogue was published documenting the names of various pieces back in 2008. As it turns out, the n-word was all over that catalogue and now the Independent claims that the Windsors are being “dragged” into a “race row.”
The royal family has been dragged into the n-word race row after dozens of references to the offensive term were found in official documents, The Independent can reveal. A catalogue published by the Royal Collection Trust (RCT), showcasing a selection of gems and jewels owned by the Royal Collection, contained more than 40 mentions of offensive racial terms.
The document, titled Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels, was published by Royal Collection Enterprises Limited in 2008. It has remained on its website since then and was only removed on Thursday after it was flagged by The Independent.
The latest discovery comes after we revealed last week that an offensive racial slur was included in government documents. The term was included in a report by the Met Office, as well as in Department for Work and Pensions guidance used by doctors to assess benefit claims. The slur had also been visible in the comment section of a page on the government’s own website since 2015. The revelations prompted Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson to denounce the word as “inappropriate and offensive”.
In the latest instance, the offensive terms are mostly used to describe people of African ancestry who appear on the jewels. The words are also included in a number of names of items in the collection. One brooch is described in the following terms: “Head of a n**** in three-quarter profile to the right, with drop-pearl earring. This type of a n****’s head is found on several sixteenth-century cameos.” Another item depicting a white person is accompanied by this description and slur: “Athough it uses the dark layers of the stone for the profile, the features are not n*****d’.
An RCT spokesperson said the trust’s documents were continually “under review”. The RCT is one of the five departments of the royal household and is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection, the largest private art collection in the world, held in trust by the King on behalf of the nation. It sells tickets for tours of the King’s official residences: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Again… this was 2008, not 1898. Everyone knew in 2008 that it was wrong to use these words so freely in a CATALOGUE for the Royal Collection Trust. It’s also kind of bonkers that these documents were just sitting there, waiting to be “found” in 2023. They were not hidden away until the Independent pointed it out. So no, the Windsors were not “dragged” into a “race row.” The Windsors are perfectly fine with this kind of language and they don’t care who knows it. The Windsors are perfectly fine with racism and using people of color as diversity props. They’re perfectly fine with wearing stolen and looted jewels and they’re perfectly fine with their collection of jewels described in such “colorful” language.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Backgrid.
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739390630, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Dan Kitwood / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a photograph of President Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739390938, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Dan Kitwood / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545093, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545375, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- Berlin, GERMANY – President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and First Lady Elke Buedenbender pose with guests at a state banquet at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace in Berlin, Germany. The King and Queen Consort’s state visit to France, which was scheduled for March 26th – 29th, has been postponed due to ongoing mass strikes and protests. Pictured: King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Berlin, GERMANY – King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla of the UK at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin, for the state banquet on the 1st of a 3 days State visit to Germany. Pictured: King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Berlin, GERMANY – King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla of the UK at Schloss Bellevue in Berlin, for the state banquet on the 1st of a 3 days State visit to Germany. Pictured: Queen Consort Camilla BACKGRID USA 29 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- Diplomatic Corps Reception At Buckingham Palace Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 06 Dec 2022 Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
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- Reception at Buckingham Palace in London to celebrate the Windrush Generation, and mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush. Featuring: Queen Camilla and June Sarpong Where: London, United Kingdom When: 14 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Racism in the Royal Family: not a bug, but a feature.
William inherited it from his father, who’d gotten it from both his parents and had made it a requirement in his second wife, since the first didn’t embrace that part.
So when are these (fertilizer of lotus flowers)-heads gonna do the right thing and just return the jewels you filthy thieves and apologize to your kids (Harry ) and grandkids (Diana/Archie)?!???! Ugh this Firm is putrid and disgusting….I thought I flushed them this morning 😔
100% a feature. The foundation of the monarchy is laid on having “royal blood” aka a belief in genetic and racial superiority.
Just UGH. They’re never going to sincerely want to learn/change or modify their racist behavior or hear out or even give poc a seat at the table. It’s time for their OG racist relic of a monarchy to go!
Context matters here. Were these historical or contemporary descriptions? If they were historical, the past racism of the institution should be preserved and not whitewashed. If they were contemporary, holy f’n sh*t.
Megan, it was written in 2008 and the examples given were description of jewelry. I would say that is contemporary. If these documents were 200 years old, it would be historical.
I’m shocked that something in 2008 would be written this way. I wonder how many people in the UK are also shocked or are they wondering what the problem is.
But they would have us believe that Meghan was warmly welcomed by the Royal family. She had to flee to the US to escape the warmth of their embrace.
What!! Shocking!! The we are not a racist family is being outted for a 2008 catalog full of racist name calling! So they put it in writing. Wonders never cease. How will they worm their way out of this. Will they say we had no idea it was in there? I thought all things about those jewels would go through one of the senior royals for approval. Let the denying begin.
This is the work of professional curators, in 2008!! I am just stunned. My only guess is they’ll try to weasel out of it by saying these are terms from the period the jewelry was made or something. Still no excuse. As for the royals being ‘dragged into’ this, I’m guessing the excuse is they trust their professionals or something, but they’re at the top of this food chain so the blame & responsibility falls on them. Despicable, all the way around.
Professionals? Please.
When’s the last time you saw pigs having to be “dragged into” the slop?
@susanCollins, and AGAIN they prove Megan and Harry as honest and open, and themselves a family of racial bigots and liars, remember bullyams words “we are most definitely not a racist family”. Well bullyam you most DEFINITELY ARE!
This only proves what we already know: that there are no black people working in high levels of the Royal Household, that the Royal Family is racist, that there were concerns about Archie’s skin colour and that Meghan faced a lot of microagressions/racism from family members and staff.
Exactly. They have surrounded themselves by people who are desperately stupid and out of touch and OVERTLY racist. A document like that would be called out by someone – anyone – everyone in virtually any other organization.
Is this what the “Meghan at the Farmer’s Market” story was meant to divert attention away from?
And I wouldn’t be surprised if this story were meant to divert attention away from something even worse.
I think you’ve nailed it.
“The royal family has been dragged into the n-word race row after dozens of references to the offensive term were found in official documents, The Independent can reveal.”
Has the royal family been “DRAGGED” into this conversation, or did they start it through colonization? Come on, Salty Isle, give it up. Even you must realize this is a losing battle. You are mad at a woman going to a market in her country of birth, instead of this????
We see you. This is why Meghan and Harry left, and why they are never coming back.
OMG! I have no words. Not only do they steal these items, they describe them with racial slurs. I beg the British people to rid themselves of this toxic institution.
The majority of the British people are quite satisfied with their racist royals and the establishment. The monarchy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon
One correction: It was ALWAYS wrong
Exactly!
There’s nothing surprising about this. How many royals looked at that catalog and thought “this is just fine”? They reveal themselves and their rotten racism attitudes with their ACTIONS. Remind me again why we need a monarchy? And don’t get me started on the folks who work for them. They’re living in another century. #abolishthemornachy
I also expect Princess Michael of Kent used that EXACT description of the brooch she wore…
Yikes, I can imagine some archival, curatorial jargon babble, “well, that was the historical term for these objects, blah, blah, blah” – but no.
I’m also concerned that it took 15 years for anyone to call them on it. 15 years!
I’m also concerned about this— idk exactly what it means in terms of ramifications, but it can’t be anything good! JFC
“The term was included in a report by the Met Office, as well as in Department for Work and Pensions guidance used by doctors to assess benefit claims.”
Used by doctors to assess benefit claims? WTAF?
@Lorelei – I wonder if it isn’t something like the recent Supreme Court ruling on Indian adoptions. We would say Indigenous People or Native Americans, but the actual legal terms as set down within US law refers specifically to “Indian” which is defined as a particular tribe, rather than a cultural identity, so the justices had to rule on “Indian.”
In 2008, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States and would for 8 years have diplomatic meetings with UK dignitaries + the royal family.
Did these rude degenerates not think to stop using these terms even as they sought assistance from the U.S. president who was Black?
This makes it obvious that Meghan was treated much worse than we know and it was racism on top of snobbery and classism, so much worse than any other married in (Cam being the other woman for decades who trolled Diana doesn’t count, she earned any hate she got).
Well kate and William thought it was cool to have a painting of a young black servant in their personal living room at KP and when the obamas came to visit they put a plant over the label.
I really wish more was made of this painting at the time. It was appalling. (I mean, I know it was reported on … but it should have sparked more outrage.)
The plaque on that painting was titled the n- page and the painting was chosen from the royal collection by Khate who presumably thought it perfectly ok. They only removed the plaque not the painting which presumably was still there when M visited KP with H. But anyhoo we are very much not a racist family.
I wonder why The Independent was not as journalistically curious about the racist comments on the Cambridges/Wales’ Instagram posts while Meghan was working for the Firm?
This is terrible. I’m an archivist and a big focus over the last couple of years has been reparative description. You go back over dated descriptions and even if you determine a word or place name is important for historical context, you acknowledge it. None of those descriptions would pass any test of that, though.
Regarding the royal family and RCT, the tiger cannot change its stripes. It can hide from view but once you see it, you’ll see its stripes. Good to know that the references have been removed from publications. However a tiger is a tiger and when you see it you’ll see its tripes. The royal family can parade and take performative photo ops to shroud their true nature but at the end of the day the very system that upholds their position above all others as a birthright, is innately a symbol of what they are trying to shroud with the performative photo ops and tabloid propaganda. Did anyone from the RCT or royal family make a statement about the findings?
Yes you’re right, that is the word. So obviously still really offensive and out dated but not the word that we associate ‘The n-word’ most commonly with. The reporting around this should be more accurate.
So someone in 2008 either wrote these descriptions or saw these descriptions and thought they were fine, no issues at all, and decided to publish them? Put them on a website? Like…..this is beyond just the royal family being racist. This points to huge issues within the entire institution. And they want us to believe they welcomed Meghan with open arms?!?
What Becks1 said. All of it.
For any other institution, I’d say this was unbelievable, but it’s horribly par for course for the BRF.
If the doctors are using the n-word in official documents as recently as 2015, racism is a pervasive problem and perhaps there’s a great deal of denial in the UK. There’s no wonder that the RF and many of the public had issues with Harry and Meghan discussing the royal who made comments about Archie’s potential complexion. The press responded to those allegations with such angst and extreme offense, it was obvious that the very subject should be considered off limits. Yet if these attitudes are documented in official documents and government paperwork as late as 2008 and 2015, racism is still a significant issue in the UK.
I’m surprised this comment didn’t show up until number 17. The fact that medical workers and benefits workers in the government, who deal with British citizens every day, are using language like that is the far bigger story here.
The Windsors and their ancient artifacts are nothing. The people who put that kind of language in official government documents relating to the use of funds to help the neediest Brits are the ones who need calling out much more. Because they are the ones who are doing the most damage.
@Miss Marirose, I had actually commented earlier and my comment was removed by the moderators. Not sure why, because the very fact that healthcare workers and medical professionals are using the n-word in OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, there is a HUGE problem.
I never bought it when Britons and other Europeans insist that racial hatred and bigotry don’t exist in their realms. And now we’re seeing that in the UK, the doctors have used this demeaning language in their records – not way back in history – but within the last 8 years. Makes a dark-skinned person like me wonder if they are capable of providing adequate medical care while feeling some type of way about their patients. To me, *this* is more disconcerting than the racist descriptions on artwork and jewelry.
“Very much not a racist family” indeed.
Lots of privileged folks try to avoid accountability with the whole “it was my ancestors from a bazillion years ago. We’re very much not a racist family.” You can’t make this argument when you’re using the despicable “n” word and the words “my website” in the same sentence. Was it ye ol’ ancient website of racistshire?
BUT there is no need for diversity training, AND Meghan is a bully, she made Kate cry oh and Kate cried again she was so moved over tennis!!
This is genuinely shocking to me. I had heard about this story and had assumed the N word was from when the items were labeled and originally joined the royal collection and honestly that was bad enough. But to read that in 2008 they were labeling items with this type of language in a catalogue intended for public consumption is shocking and sickening.
Of course they were undermining and denigrating Meghan! Of course they were calling Archie the N-word!! Of course these people ARE racist (f^ck unconscious bias)! To be so blatantly hateful and disrespectful to people and THINGS of African descent while you adamantly deny that racism exists in your country is gaslighting on a level I didn’t know existed. All of this is truly disgusting.
But According to William the family very much not racist at all everything is slowly coming out . There no way in hell that the royal family and the people in charger didn’t know in 2008 using this word was wrong they just didn’t give a damn just like when the first black president visited William and Kate they had a racist painting didn’t even cover up . We all supposed to believe that no one in family made racist comments about Meghan and her children .
Let’s be real.
The Windors have not been “dragged” into this predicament.
The Windors put themselves in the situation.
This is another example of the systemic racism endemic to The Firm the Windors have allowed to take place.
But . . . but . . . they are “100% not racist!”
Color me shocked! The Kensington Palace IG page has been filled with the N-word and monkey memes since Meghan dating Harry became public knowledge. The artwork and statutes throughout those palaces are symbolic of slavery.
The nothing stories that appear: (1) Meghan takes her dog to the Farmer’s Market; (2) Kate turns on her tennis pal Federer who now is accused of violating protocol; (3) the Wales children go to a museum and view the plane that carried Great Granmother’s coffin, etc. are all to distract your attention from the real issue – Dan Wooton. The allegations concerning his conduct are serious, and we all know he’s deeply connected to Jason Knauf, who is connected to William and Kate. The Meghan and Harry daily attacks are losing their appeal. Too many have read Spare and watched the Netflix Docuseries. The Dan Wooton saga will disappear if the British tabloid media don’t discuss it while they sanitize their timelines. The British monarchy is slowly losing its prominence on the global stage. Currently, they are where they were before Meghan.
The n word comes from the America’s. Which means they actively sought that word out. The britsh love to equate things. So they borrowed that word. They knew what it meant. It’s different if a foreigner picks up that word in the usa and thinks it’s a friendly term. in England they meant to be provocative.
Cause in England the old terms are black, colored, Maybe ebony, blackamore, or just african. Come on. This is like when a lot if torrys read some book that had “that’s a n-wood in a woodpile” and they all started using it.
The n-word has been a real problem in the UK for a long time. The original title of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None was Ten Little N-words. There was just a news item about the grave of the dog mascot of the Dambusters (British WW2 RAF squadron) , whose name was the n-word, They loved the dog and its grave was important to them but it’s a huge embarrassment now. So no, we can’t blame the US for this one.
I would be disappointed if they decide to change the language to reflect the fake mores of today…….
It confirm the bigotry faced by certain ethnic groups despite the assertions of the right wing press.
Racist wording in historical documents tells me-all these professionals need to go back to school and learn CRT-for [people who have been around a very long time and see changes throughout the world to have something like this appear in 2008-Obama was elected that year
I can’t tell you the racism I encounter daily in the UK. Ok I’’m very ‘white’ so I guess the dear old folks think it’s funny and can’t understand why it’s illegal but it makes tears spring to my eyes. I do have blood relatives these slurs apply to. These dear oldies are ALL royalists too.