Trevor Phillips says Meghan Markle had to “learn how to be black” when she joined the royal family

Meghan Markle ‘had to learn how to be black at work’ after marrying Prince Harry, but ‘has messed it up’, it is alleged.

Sir Trevor Phillips said the Duchess of Sussex, 41, “never considered herself black” before joining the royal family, which he said was “understandable” given her privileged upbringing.

But the former politician claimed Meghan subsequently failed to “take advice” after becoming a princess and “lost the opportunity” to showcase Britain’s diversity.

The broadcaster and former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission made the series of claims during a debate on TalkTV’s Piers Morgan: Uncensored.

He said: “I think people are mistaken about who Meghan Markle is, she herself said she never considered herself black until she became this princess, and that’s understandable.

“She grew up in Los Angeles in the wealthiest black enclave anywhere in the United States — Park View, Windsor Hills…she went to a private Roman Catholic school and in a sense, race was never really part of her background .’

It comes after the Duchess discussed her mixed-race identity last year on her Spotify podcast, Archetypes, telling guest Mariah Carey, “I mean, if there’s a time in my life when it’s more about my race, then it’s only when i started dating my husband.

“That’s when I started to understand what it was like to be treated like a black woman. Because until then I had been treated like a mixed woman. And things have really changed.’

During his performance on Piers Morgan, Sir Trevor claimed that “everyone with a black background” knew that the issue of race “wasn’t her territory.”

He added: “When she made this supposedly incendiary claim about someone asking what color Archie’s skin would be, basically any black family… as soon as you know someone is coming, you speculate on that.

“For whites, it’s hair and eye color.”

He continued, “The point I really want to make about Meghan Markle is that she kind of had to learn how to be black on the job, and I think she kind of messed it up, she didn’t take advice, and that’s in a way why I think they squandered the opportunity to demonstrate something important about this country…

“We have the largest population of unique mixed race anywhere in the developed world that came about through romance rather than coercion and they could have been standard bearers for that.”

Sir Trevor then clashed with TalkTV contributor Paula Rhone-Adrien over whether or not the Duchess had been forced to face racism in the UK in person.

“We know she had to confront racists,” Ms Rhone-Adrien said.

“There are people in prison now because of the threats they made against her life.”

Sir Trevor then hit back: ‘Who did she confront? Tell me the name of a person she confronted.”

MailOnline has contacted representatives of the Sussexes for comment.

It follows an uncertain past few weeks for the Sussexes, with Netflix rumored to be considering parting ways with the pair after Spotify dropped their deal.

Sir Trevor (pictured) clashed with TalkTV contributor Paula Rhone-Adrien over whether or not the Duchess had been forced to face racism in the UK in person

Spotify executive and popular podcaster Bill Simmons called them “f***ing grifters,” and this week the Duchess was dismissed as a talentless broadcaster by one of Hollywood’s most powerful figures.

It was revealed yesterday how a former model and reality star turned TV producer and ‘InstaMom’ is the latest manager through the ‘revolving door’ at Meghan and Harry’s broadcaster.

Tracy Ryerson, 43, is the new Head of Scripted Content at Archewell Productions amid rumors the Sussexes are pitching to Netflix to make a feminist prequel to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, which will focus on the world’s most famous rejected bride Miss Havisham.

The Sussexes’ Netflix deal expires in 2025 and Tracy could be tasked with keeping it on track.

Harry and Meghan’s offices and businesses have been described as a “revolving door.” The Sussexes have reportedly lost 16 staff since 2018. However, they did not officially launch the Archewell organization and related businesses until late 2020.

The most recent two key staffers to leave Harry and Meghan were reportedly Fara Taylor, who heads Archewell Productions’ marketing team, and head of internal content Ben Browning. This appears to be their 16th staff departure since they got married five years ago.

Actress and TV producer Tracy Ryerson now works for Meghan and Harry as the new Head of Scripted Content at Archewell Productions

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak at the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival in New York

On Monday, Jeremy Zimmer, who has mentored the film careers of stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Damian Lewis, delivered his scathing verdict on Meghan’s abilities after streaming giant Spotify dropped its £18 million deal with her and Prince Harry after just one podcast series.

Mr Zimmer, the CEO of United Talent Agency, said he was not surprised Spotify had dumped the pair.

“Turns out Meghan Markle wasn’t a great audio talent, or necessarily any talent at all,” he said.

Speaking to news website Semafor at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in France, Mr. Zimmer added: “And you know, just because you’re famous doesn’t make you good at anything.”

Spotify, according to Variety magazine, pulled the plug on the deal because it “expected more content” from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their Archewell Audio team.