Prince William's Comments About The Ukraine Crisis Has Twitter In Flames
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced the world to take sides. The royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, has declared their stance with Ukraine, so much so that Prince William and Kate Middleton recently showed their support for the people of Ukraine by packing up donations at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London (via Vanity Fair). It turns out that sometimes actions don't speak as loud as words, though, especially when it comes to royals.
Not everyone is happy with the words Prince William used after he was finished packing donations. "It's very alien to see this in Europe. We are all behind you," William said in a statement, according to The Independent. "We feel so useless." Despite William speaking in support of Ukraine, some people are seeing the message as being a bit cold.
The sentiment that Prince William makes about feeling helpless is very much a feeling that many other people around the world are feeling as well. But it's another word in the statement that is rubbing people the wrong way, especially in contrast with his brother's recent comments. Even Kate Middleton's stance on Ukraine's crisis is clear. Still, here's everything you need to know about why Twitter is in a tizzy.
Twitter is upset with Prince William's use of the term 'alien'
There's one specific word that's hitting Twitter users the wrong way: "alien." Users on Twitter are seeing his phrase — "It's very alien to see this in Europe" — to mean that, while other places in the commonwealth are used to this kind of war, Europe is not. "#ICYMI: Prince William said it's rather normal to see war and bloodshed in Africa and Asia but not Europe, during a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London today," Twitter user Nadine White wrote in a tweet. "'It's very alien to see this in Europe. We are all behind you,' he told the volunteers there."
Other people are getting a bit more brutal with their comments, even alluding to Prince William's comment being racist. "So. Those comments made about Archie's skin colour and it wasn't said who said it. It was William wasn't it?" Twitter user Jon Dexter wrote. The user is referencing Meghan Markle's Oprah interview, where she and Prince Harry talked about how unnamed members of the royal family allegedly wondered what skin color their first child would be.
Emotions are extremely high right now, so it makes sense that people are reading into the statement and wanting more from the leaders of their countries. Fingers crossed that, at the very least, Prince William understands why his comments were so offensive.
Twitter was even harsher on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Social media may have reacted harshly to Prince William's latest comments on Ukraine, but they had a significantly worse response to his brother, Prince Harry, and wife Meghan Markle saying anything at all. Per Newsweek, the Sussexes condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine on their official Archewell website, decrying it as a "breach of international and humanitarian law" and confirming they "stand with the people of Ukraine," while encouraging "the global community and its leaders to do the same."
Although it seemed like a fairly reasonable sentiment on the surface, and certainly in line with many others who have spoken out, Twitter immediately tore the couple apart for deigning to wade into such serious matters. Meghan's biggest fan, Piers Morgan, sarcastically quipped "this will really rattle Putin" in a tweet sharing the statement, while his Daily Mail cohort Richard Eden posted a similar joke, writing, "It's all over for Putin..."
The Mail, in general, dedicated plenty of column inches to criticizing the Sussexes' stance, including in an article entitled, "Putin is shaking in his boots! Twitter users remark on Harry and Meghan's defiant statement that they stand with the people of Ukraine." Elsewhere, The Sun chided them, "'OH, WELL DONE' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle mocked on Twitter after wading into Ukraine crisis."
President Zelenskyy publicly thanked William and Kate for their initial support
Although Twitter users have been going back and forth over whether the royals should be weighing in on the Ukraine crisis at all, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was at least grateful for their support. The popular leader, who's quickly gained internet acclaim in his own right thanks to Zelenskyy's staunch refusal to abandon his people, publicly thanked Prince William and Kate Middleton after they threw their support behind the country.
Zelenskyy tweeted that he and wife, Olena Zelenskyy, "are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge @RoyalFamily that at this crucial time, when Ukraine is courageously opposing Russia's invasion, they stand by our country and support our brave citizens." The Ukrainian president added, "Good will triumph."
The Cambridges tweeted their support from the official @KensingtonRoyal account, writing, "In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future. Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future."
Notably, President Zelenskyy excluded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from his royal shout-out, which is sure to have delighted their online critics. Harry, meanwhile, made a public plea for "the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community," while accepting an award at the NAACP Image Awards, per People.