Harry and Meghan have been accused of trying to hijack William and Kate’s US climate fight tour by releasing dramatic clips of their Netflix docu-series.
But the Prince and Princess of Wales rose above the apparent bid to overshadow their visit to Boston, which was a huge success yesterday as crowds lined streets to greet them.
There are still fears Harry and Meghan will reveal further damaging allegations of racism in their TV show, after a campaigner accused veteran Palace aide Lady Susan Hussey of grilling her over her Black heritage.
And the race row engulfing the Palace deepened after lawyer Nazir Afzal claimed that the 83-year-old former lady-in-waiting also made inappropriate comments to him.
Harry and Meghan’s trailer for their upcoming £88million series revealed never-before-seen photos, including several of the former actor crying.
One insider said: “You could have bet your house on the fact this promo was going to come out.
“They have deliberately gate- crashed the Boston trip and taken advantage of an external situation for their own agenda, there’s no other way to put it.
“Harry is well aware how important it is not to overshadow the work of other members of the family yet this is exactly the type of playground tactics being employed here.”
But the tactic clearly did not work, as William and Kate enjoyed a rapturous welcome in the US ahead of tonight’s Earthshot Prize to celebrate environmental projects.
The couple embarked on an impromptu meet-and-greet session with hundreds of well-wishers in Chelsea, a short drive from Boston.
A royal source said: “Despite others’ best efforts to damage this trip, everyone in Boston is totally focused on carrying on and shining a light on local communities doing great work.”
Screams of “William, Kate you’re so beautiful” rang out. Katie Lummie spoke with the Princess and said later: “She is such an icon for women.”
Ashley Langan 20, held a sign saying “Welcome to Boston, Your Highness”. She said: “I love them.”
It came after William and Kate had watched a Boston Celtics basketball game on Wednesday night.
But despite their success, the fallout from Ngozi Fulani’s racism accusation against William’s godmother Lady Susan, 83 – said to have taken place at Buckingham Palace – continued.
The British-born domestic violence campaigner claimed the late Queen’s longest-serving confidante had asked: “Which part of Africa are you from?”
Former chief crown prosecutor for the North West Mr Afzal tweeted: “I was at the Palace reception at which Lady Susan questioned the heritage of Ngozi Fulani.
“She only asked me my heritage once and seemed to accept my answer – Manchester, currently.
“Racism is never far away tho.” Ngozi yesterday dismissed claims that Lady Susan’s age was a factor. She said in a TV interview: “That’s a kind of a disrespect about ageism. Are we saying that because of your age you can’t be racist?”
Ngozi had told how Lady Susan moved her hair to get a look at her name badge. She added: “Although I didn’t experience physical violence, I feel I experienced a form of abuse.”
Lady Susan, who quit her royal role of more that 60 years after the claims, has offered to meet Ngozi to apologise in person, friends said yesterday.
Meghan last year accused an unnamed member of the family of racist comments about the complexion of her and Harry’s unborn child.
And the Palace is braced for more claims from the couple about their time in The Firm with the six-part Netflix series, which is due to drop on next Thursday. The trailer reveals a series of black-and-white snaps,
showcasing their private lives.
In one shot, which is bound to cause alarm at the Palace, William and Kate are seen looking stony-faced at the Sussex’s final engagement in the UK, the Commonwealth Day Service in 2020.
In others, Meghan appears to be seen crying on the phone while one picture shows the couple both wiping their eyes.
Harry and Meghan quit royal duties to live in the US, leaving them free to pursue lucrative projects such as the TV series. Netflix said: “In an unprecedented and in-depth documentary series, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex share the other side of their love story.”
Rishi Sunak last night declined to comment on the Palace race row.
The PM confirmed he had experienced racism but insisted things had got better. But he added: “The job is never done and that’s why whenever we see it we must confront it.”
