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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'feeling' tensions in US as Black Lives Matter protests continue

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Canada House in London, Britain  January 7, 2020. Daniel Leal-Olivas/Pool via REUTERS
Harry and Meghan have had conversations with community leaders to learn more. (Reuters)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are “feeling” the tensions in the US “just like the rest of us” as anti-racism protests continue, according to reports.

Meghan spoke candidly to the graduating class of her former high school last week, in the wake of the death of George Floyd as protests were sparked across the US.

The 38-year-old shared her “absolute devastation” over the racial divides in the US and told them: “I’m so sorry you have to grow up in a world where this is still present.”

Harper’s Bazaar has now reported that the couple is having conversations with “community leaders” about what is going on in the country.

According to Omid Scobie, the couple’s biographer: “Harry and Meghan have been having private conversations with community leaders and people at every level, to ensure that they understand current events.

“This is something that is incredibly personal to Meghan, especially given everything she has experienced. And as a couple, it is, of course, very important. They are both feeling it, just like the rest of us.”

Read more: Meghan Markle's history of campaigning against racism – from her early acting days to royal court cases

A source told the magazine: “By speaking to as many people and organisations as possible, it has been a way for them to feel connected to everything that's going on and learn more about the issues surrounding it.”

In Meghan’s message last week she shared her own experiences of growing up in Los Angeles during the riots which occurred after the beating of Rodney King.

She said: “I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that I wouldn’t or it would get picked apart and I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing, because George Floyd’s life mattered and Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and Philando Castile’s life mattered and Tamir Rice’s life mattered and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.”

Read more: Prince George and Princess Charlotte join Prince William in family volunteering effort in new photo

A friend said the message was delivered without notes.

Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, 37, have plans to launch a new non-profit organisation but have had to put that on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.

They are reportedly living in Tyler Perry’s mansion and paying £7,000 a day for their security.