Scobie alleges that Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, named two members of the royal family who had expressed concerns about how dark her son Archie's skin would be upon his birth. Furthermore, Scobie claims that Markle disclosed that one of these family members made a derogatory comment alluding to Archie's Jewish heritage, implying that it might make him an unsuitable heir to the throne.
Markle's Jewish background has been a topic of debate since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018. Initially, some media outlets reported that Markle was of Jewish descent, citing her mother's supposed Jewish heritage and her previous marriage with Trevor Engelson, which was rumored to have involved a Jewish wedding. However, these claims were later refuted by Markle's representatives and by Westminster Abbey, where her wedding to Harry took place. Both sources affirmed that Markle is not Jewish, and her previous marriage did not preclude her from having a Christian wedding.
In contrast to these allegations against Markle, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has earned praise from the Jewish community. A New York-based Jewish a cappella group known as "613" specializes in parodying contemporary pop songs with Jewish themes. In 2019, they dedicated a song to Middleton titled "A Thank You to Kate Middleton," a parody of Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You." The song commends Middleton for her role modeling and her friendly demeanor towards the Jewish community. It also acknowledges her for instilling Jewish values in her children. Furthermore, the group reveals that Middleton sent them a personal letter of appreciation after they performed at a charity event in London.
The song by 613 has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube and has received positive feedback from many viewers, commending Middleton for her grace and generosity. Some viewers have also contrasted Middleton favorably with Markle, accusing the latter of divisive behavior and expressing admiration for Middleton's humility and compassion.
As for Taylor Swift, she has not addressed the criticism surrounding her Hanukkah message or commented on the allegations of anti-Semitism against Meghan Markle. However, some of Swift's fans have come to her defense, asserting that Swift should not be held responsible for Markle's actions and that she has the right to celebrate Hanukkah in the manner she sees fit. These fans argue that Swift's friendship with Markle is based on their personalities and character rather than race or religion.
