Prince William and Kate Middleton Sit Courtside at NBA Game Amid Buckingham Palace Controversy
It was clearly not the start to the trip that they had hoped for. Before William and Kate touched down in the U.S. yesterday people had woken up to the news that a royal aide had stepped down after making unacceptable comments to a Black charity founder at Buckingham Palace. After Ngozi Fulani shared what she endured on social media, being asked where she was really from after she said she was British, the spotlight was on the royal family for all the wrong reasons.
Ahead of William and Kate's arrival their spokesperson had issued a statement condemning the incident and saying, “Racism has no place in our society.” But they made their first appearance at City Hall in the rain just as the first editions of the UK newspaper front pages were coming out—all prominently featuring the controversy.
Substantial crowds had braved the downpours to see the royals at City Hall, where they were met with cheers. However, as they continued with their planned program yesterday evening there were signs that not everyone in the U.S. felt the same way.
The Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to watch the Boston Celtics play Miami Heat at TD Garden in Downtown Boston was embargoed until their arrival at the event so few in the crowd had any idea they would be enjoying their evening alongside royalty. The couple arrived, took their seats and stood for the national anthem. When they were shown on the Jumbatron cheers but also boos could be heard along with chants of "USA."
The royals are in Boston for three days, culminating in William’s Earthshot Prize on Friday evening at the MGM Music Hall in Boston. The visit is being described by royal aides as a trip focused on Earthshot and not a royal tour but their program also includes events that allow them to see the city and hear about work being done to help young people and families. This is their first overseas visit since Queen Elizabeth died, and—something they may be acutely aware of—their first overseas visit together since they traveled to the Caribbean last March and received significant criticism.
The landscape is also very different to when they last visited the U.S. in 2014 when Kate was pregnant with Charlotte and the royal family was enjoying a period of largely celebratory coverage. In the intervening years, the spotlight on Prince Andrew has created significant controversy for the monarchy and Harry and Meghan's departure has divided opinion on the institution.
Today, William and Kate have plans to learn about climate innovations at Greentown Labs in Somerville as well as seeing how non-profit Roca helps young people in the Chelsea area.
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