Former UK Police Officers Receive Sentences for Sending Racist Messages About Meghan and the Royals

Six ex-London police officers received suspended sentences for circulating racist messages via WhatsApp, including derogatory remarks about Meghan Markle and other royals.

Metropolitan Police’s Commander James Harman condemned the content as "absolutely appalling" and acknowledged the potential harm to public trust in law enforcement.

The individuals, now retired, faced charges after a BBC Newsnight probe revealed the messages, exchanged from August 2018 to September 2022.

Racial comments targeted Meghan, Prince Harry’s wife, whose heritage is mixed-race. Texts also mentioned late Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Rishi Sunak, UK's first non-white Prime Minister.

Five of the men in their 60s, ex-Diplomatic Protection Group with various policing roles, admitted guilt and received six to 14-week suspended sentences for one year.

Michael Chadwell, 62, contested his charge but was convicted and handed a 10-week suspended sentence.

Amid recent scrutiny for institutional bigotry, London’s Metropolitan Police, under new Chief Mark Rowley, vows to eliminate unfit members from its ranks.