Princess Michael of Kent's 'racist' brooch worn while meeting Meghan Markle stuns Royal fans

Meghan Markle arrives with Britain's Prince Harry for the Queen's Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Photo / AP

A princess has sparked controversy after she wore a 'racist' brooch to an event where she would've mingled with Prince Harry's bi-racial fiancee Meghan Markle.

Princess Michael — the wife of Prince Michael of Kent, has caught the eye of many Royal watchers, who have spotted the offensive piece of jewellery in photos from the Queen's Christmas lunch.

The Queen's first cousin was photographed in the car while wearing a brooch in a "Blackamoor" style. The brooch features a black figure wearing a gold robe and headdress.

In general, "Blackamoor" art has been seen as being racially insensitive. The figures are sculptures and other depictions of exoticised figures, including images of servants or slaves, which were used in European art in the Early Modern period.

They almost always have dark skin and are depicted as being subservient.

Many on social media have noticed and criticised the choice of jewellery as a fashion statement in front of Markle, who is the future wife of Prince Harry.

Some questioned whether she deliberately wore it to upset Markle.

Princess Michael has apologised for wearing the brooch.

A spokesperson for the royal said she was "very sorry and distressed".

The statement said: "The brooch was a gift and has been worn many times before.

"Princess Michael is very sorry and distressed that it has caused offence."

Markle, 36, has been open about her cultural heritage, telling the world that she is "bi-racial".

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The American TV actress and a divorcee penned an essay for Elle UK in 2016, where she addressed the issue, saying: "To describe something as being black and white means it is clearly defined. Yet when your ethnicity is black and white, the dichotomy is not that clear. In fact, it creates a grey area. Being bi-racial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating."

"She also talked of how her background affected her ability to book jobs in the acting industry.

Being 'ethnically ambiguous', as I was pegged in the industry, meant I could audition for virtually any role. Morphing from Latina when I was dressed in red, to African-American when in mustard yellow; my closet filled with fashionable frocks to make me look as racially varied as an Eighties Benetton poster. Sadly, it didn't matter: I wasn't black enough for the black roles and I wasn't white enough for the white ones, leaving me somewhere in the middle as the ethnic chameleon who couldn't book a job," she wrote.

She will be the first American whose marriage to a member of the Royal Family will be welcomed by them.

Prince Harry and Markle released a series of portraits by New York-based fashion photographer Alexi Lubomirski to mark their engagement today.

Lubomirski, a former assistant to Mario Testino, famed for his photos of Harry's mother Princess Diana, took the pictures this week at the royal retreat of Frogmore House, near Windsor Castle, west of London, where the couple are due to marry on May 19.

"I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them, such was their happiness together," Lubomirski said.

Queen Elizabeth's 33-year-old grandson, Harry, fifth-in-line to the throne, and Markle, who stars in the US TV legal drama Suits, announced their engagement last month.

- With AAP

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