15 Times the Royals Caused Harm in Ways You Won’t Believe

The British royal family has long been under the microscope, with their actions, both past and present, occasionally causing harm in ways that may surprise or shock the public. Whether through questionable decisions, historic wrongdoings, or modern-day controversies, here are 15 times the royals caused harm in ways you won’t believe:

1. The Colonization of India – The British Empire, under the rule of royal figures like Queen Victoria, caused immense harm through colonization, including the exploitation, cultural destruction, and deaths of millions in India. The royal family’s historical association with the Empire has been widely criticized.
2. The Treatment of Indigenous Peoples – The British royal family’s ties to colonialism have long been linked to the mistreatment of indigenous populations across various territories, including in Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Many royal descendants profited from exploitation.
3. Princess Diana’s Death – While there’s no direct evidence, many conspiracy theories claim that Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997 was linked to the royal family’s alleged disapproval of her relationship with Dodi Fayed. This has led to widespread public distrust about the circumstances surrounding her passing.
4. King Charles’s Climate Hypocrisy – While King Charles has positioned himself as an advocate for the environment, critics point out the carbon footprint of his personal lifestyle—his private jet use and large properties, for instance—undermines the environmental message he often preaches.
5. The Treatment of Meghan Markle – Meghan Markle’s time as a member of the royal family was marred by accusations of mistreatment, racial discrimination, and a lack of support from the family, which led to her and Harry stepping down from royal duties. Their experiences have sparked outrage about how the royals handled race and mental health issues.
6. Prince Andrew and the Epstein Scandal – The public revelation of Prince Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein caused immense harm to the royal family’s image. His involvement in the scandal, including the sexual assault allegations from Virginia Giuffre, led to him stepping back from royal duties.
7. The Legacy of Slavery – The royal family has been tied to the British Empire’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. While there is no direct admission of royal complicity, the family’s wealth and position were significantly boosted by colonial exploitation, including the labor of enslaved people.
8. The “Royal Warrants” and the Opium Trade – Historically, the British monarchy’s association with companies like Jardine Matheson, which profited from the opium trade in China, has caused harm. The monarchy’s acceptance of these royal warrants has been seen as tacit approval of harmful business practices.
9. Prince Harry and His Military Service – When Prince Harry served in the military, his controversial comments and actions, including the use of racial slurs, caused significant harm to his reputation and the royal family’s. His statements were criticized as unthinking and harmful to race relations.
10. Princess Margaret’s Relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend – The relationship between Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend was controversial and ultimately led to her decision not to marry him. The royal family’s intervention, based on concerns over Townsend’s divorce, caused emotional harm to Margaret and shaped public perceptions of royal interference in personal affairs.
11. The Involvement in the Falklands War – Prince Andrew’s role in the Falklands War in 1982 was praised as heroic at the time, but the royal family’s general involvement in military decisions and positioning raised questions about their role in instigating and prolonging the conflict.
12. King Edward VIII’s Abdication – King Edward VIII’s abdication to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American woman, shocked the nation. The royal family’s treatment of Simpson, and the public fallout over the abdication, caused both personal harm to Edward and a scandalous disruption to the royal lineage.
13. The Disregard for Princess Diana’s Needs – Princess Diana’s struggles with mental health, including her well-publicized battle with bulimia and depression, were often dismissed or downplayed by the royal family. Their failure to provide proper support during her marriage to Charles contributed to her pain.
14. The Death of Princess Margaret – Princess Margaret’s health was heavily affected by the royal family’s reluctance to address her struggles with addiction and mental illness. Her premature death at 71, after years of personal turmoil, has been blamed on the neglect and lack of support she received from her family.
15. The Royal Family’s Role in the Irish Famine – Queen Victoria’s reign coincided with the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s, during which the British government’s neglect led to the deaths of over a million people. The royal family’s passive stance on this disaster contributed to resentment and long-lasting harm to the Irish population.

While the royal family has made efforts to modernize and engage with contemporary issues, these incidents show that their legacy is far from spotless. The harm caused by the monarchy’s actions over the centuries has left a complicated and often painful mark on both individuals and entire nations.