Why Prince William’s Comment About the ‘Alien’ Russia-Ukraine Conflict Sparked Controversy
10.03.2022 - 22:47
/ usmagazine.com
When Prince William spoke out about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine during a recent public appearance, his comments were the subject of controversy. However, he was apparently misquoted by several media outlets in attendance.
“Everyone is horrified by what they are seeing. It’s really horrifying,” the Duke of Cambridge, 39, said during his joint outing with wife Duchess Kate on Wednesday, March 9. “The news every day, it’s just, it’s almost unfathomable. For our generation, it’s very alien to see this in Europe. We’re all right behind you. We’re thinking about you. We feel so useless.”
ITV royal reporter Lizzie Robinson tweeted footage of the complete quote on Thursday, March 10, hours after a shortened version of William’s quote made the rounds online. Many news organizations had reported that William said “it’s very alien to see this in Europe,” since the British are more used to seeing conflict in Africa and Asia, per a Press Association staffer. The misattributed quote quickly came under fire via social media, sparking accusations of racism.
The military veteran and the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, met with locals at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London on Wednesday. They learned about the contributions of England residents to support refugees amid the conflict.
“Over the past two weeks, communities and organizations here in the U.K. have come together to provide vital support to Ukrainians here in Britain and across Europe,” a post on the pair’s official Instagram account read shortly after the visit. “The Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London has become one of many hubs organizing donations, material aid and supporting Ukrainians living locally. The work volunteers here are doing to ensure that help gets to where