African Americans in Los Angeles know the royal wedding is apparently a big deal. Magazine covers and TV news declare that the girl who grew up here is about to make history by becoming a mixed-race duchess.
A cultural milestone, a modern fairytale, a cue for LA’s black community to celebrate Meghan Markle breaking the mould.
The only glitch: few here seem to care. The buildup to Saturday’s ceremony at Windsor Castle has generated less buzz than a pile-up on the 405 highway.
“It doesn’t really apply to us here. It’s far away,” said Brandon Chinke, 24, a neighbour of Markle’s African American mother, Doria Ragland. The trainee realtor is a Manchester United fan but shrugged off any significance of Prince Harry taking a biracial bride. “It’s a love thing, not a race thing.”
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, an author and political analyst who also lives in View Park-Windsor Hills, an area nicknamed the black Beverly Hills, said there was no outpouring of emotion. “It’s seen as more a curiosity … there’s no real personal identification or interest,” he said.
Last week’s editions of African American newspapers such as the Los Angeles Wave, Pace News and the the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Journal ignored the wedding.
The only clue View Park-Windsor Hills was about to acquire a connection to the other Windsor was a workman installing an extra lock on the gate outside Ragland’s bungalow.
A mile down the road in Leimert Park, the centre of African American arts and culture in Los Angeles, people seemed inoculated to wedding fever.
“I haven’t heard anybody talk about it at all,” said James Fugate, owner of Eso Won, a bookshop. “If anybody really cares it’s the nut factor saying Markle’s not black, or that she’s betraying the black race, stuff like that.”
Mike Eason, 61, a saxophonist, laughed when asked if he would tune into the ceremony, which will start at 5am local time: “Got higher priorities. We’re not really trying to keep up with it.” Asked about the royal family acquiring a biracial member he laughed again. “They want some of that melanin in the bloodstream.”
Mattie, 53, a bus driver who declined to give her last name, rebuffed talk of history in the making: “For me it ain’t no biggie. You love who you love.”
Indifference did not signify coldness. Interviewees unanimously wished the best for the couple. “I don’t care about the wedding but I hope Meghan enjoys her life,” said Charlotte Richardson, 73, a retired administrator.
The detachment contrasted with enthusiasm among black communities in Britain for what many see as an inclusive, modern royal romance. The selection of an African American bishop, Michael Bruce Curry, to address the wedding has underlined the break with tradition.
Some parts of LA, however, are counting down the hours to Markle’s entrance to St George’s chapel.
Her alma mater, Immaculate Heart high school, a private Catholic college, will host a pre-dawn screening for pupils, parents and staff. Some cinemas and British-themed pubs will show screenings later in the day.
Ye Olde Kings Head gift shop in Santa Monica has reported “overwhelming” demand for plates, teaspoons, mugs and other wedding-themed memorabilia. The Los Angeles Times has devoted articles to Windsor Castle, Markle’s TV career and style transformation, 11 films to watch before the ceremony and wedding-themed recipes (“to add some California sparkle to the menu, there must be avocado”).
A few people in Leimert Park said they would tune in. “Absolutely,” said Tracie Smith, 53, a beauty salon owner. “It’s a big deal.”
Gerald Hunter, 63, a retired railway conductor, fantasised about the ultimate royal racial breakthrough: “Could you imagine a black queen of England? That would be far out.”
Most saw little reason to make Saturday a day of scones and tea.
The emphasis on Markle being biracial as opposed to African American impeded black people embracing her as one of their own, said Hutchinson. There was no sense that black people would acquire a real piece of the British crown or that it would have an impact on them in the US, he said.
A 55-year-old musician who gave his name only as Kwame said the community did not feel invested in the former actor, who moved to Toronto in 2011 to film the series Suits. “We just don’t know her, man. Even though she’s local we don’t have any ties to her.”
Some thought Markle was white. “Harry’s marrying a sister?” marvelled Juanita, a 50-year-old who declined to give her last name. “I just thought she had a tan.”
Kaya Dantzler, 25, an educator, said the British monarchy’s role in colonialism and slavery dampened any ardour for the nuptials. “I’m more interested in post-colonial studies.”
