Meghan Markle’s entry into the British royal family sparked a debate about diversity, but it is important to note that she was not the first person of color (POC) to be part of the royal family.
This issue only gained attention when Meghan herself highlighted it.
One such example is Gary Lewis, a builder and avid surfer, who married Lady Davina Windsor, a member of the British royal family, in 2004.
Their union marked the first time a person of Maori descent married into the royal family, and their children were the first biracial members.
Gary Lewis, whose father Larry was a champion in the Golden Shears competition in 1982, met Lady Davina while on a surfing vacation in Bali four years before their marriage.
Lady Davina, the daughter of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is closely related to Queen Elizabeth II as her first cousin and the granddaughter of King George V. Lady Davina’s childhood home was Kensington Palace, where they exchanged vows in a private chapel.
In 2010, Lady Davina gave birth to their daughter, Sene Kowai, followed by their son, Tein Mahuta, two years later.
However, after 14 years together, the couple divorced in 2018, with cultural differences cited as one of the reasons.
Lady Davina, born on November 19, 1977, initially held the 10th position in the line of succession, but due to the birth of Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren, she now stands at 35th place.
Despite attending Prince William and Princess Catherine’s wedding in 2011, the Lewis family did not receive an invitation to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.
This exclusion raised eyebrows, as it has been customary to invite extended family members to royal events.
Rumors circulated that Lady Davina was removed from the guest list by Meghan, causing disappointment among those who believed that long-standing traditions were not being upheld.
In contrast, the guest list featured numerous celebrities, some of whom had only met the Sussexes once.
It is worth mentioning that Lady Davina’s parents lived near William, Catherine, and the Sussexes at Kensington Palace.
Meghan would have been familiar with this mixed heritage family, as they often attended royal events.
However, the Harkles chose to exclude them from their wedding and other significant occasions.
In contrast, Lady Davina Windsor and Gary Lewis conducted themselves with class and dignity, refraining from attacking or snarking at the royal family or the late queen.
Meghan’s claims of being the first royal of color are unfounded, as there are numerous examples of diversity within other royal families worldwide.
The focus on race and color seems to be driven solely by Meghan, who attempted to manipulate the press to further her own agenda.
It is important to recognize that Meghan’s presence in the royal family did bring attention to the issue of diversity, but she was not the first nor will she be the last person of color to join a royal family.
In conclusion, the story of Lady Davina Windsor and Gary Lewis sheds light on the topic of diversity within the British royal family.
While Meghan Markle’s entrance into the family brought this issue to the forefront, it is crucial to acknowledge that she was not the trailblazer she claimed to be.
The world’s other royal families exhibit diversity, proving that Meghan’s obsession with race and color was unnecessary.