Fury as Charlie Hebdo magazine cover shows Queen kneeling on Meghan Markle’s neck



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French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has been criticized for a cartoon that shows the Queen kneeling on Meghan Markle’s neck, drawing parallels with the death of George Floyd.

The publication, which has already come under scrutiny for its controversial designs, again sparked outrage just days after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claimed they had suffered open racism from family members and royal family staff.

The image appears to replicate the gruesome death of the late George Floyd after policeman Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, despite Floyd’s desperate pleas for help shouting, ‘I can’t not breathe ”.

The latest cartoon on the front page of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo titled 'Why Meghan Left Buckingham' depicts the Queen kneeling on Meghan Markle's neck as the Duchess says 'because I couldn't breathe' , drawing comparisons to the death of George Floyd while in custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last May

The latest cartoon on the front page of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo titled ‘Why Meghan Left Buckingham’ depicts the Queen kneeling on Meghan Markle’s neck as the Duchess says ‘because I couldn’t breathe’ , drawing comparisons to the death of George Floyd while in custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last May

The controversial cartoon, which has sparked outrage online and among activists and activists, comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey aired this week.  Pictured: The Queen and Meghan Markle together in July 2018

The controversial cartoon, which has sparked outrage online and among activists and activists, comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey aired this week. Pictured: The Queen and Meghan Markle together in July 2018

During the interview (pictured), the royal couple claimed to have experienced open racism from family members and royal family staff

During the interview (pictured), the royal couple claimed to have experienced open racism from family members and royal family staff

On the cover of the magazine, the cartoon is displayed with the headline: “Why Meghan Left Buckingham”.

The Queen is pictured pressing her knee to the back of the Duchess’s neck, and Meghan responds: ‘Because I couldn’t breathe. ”

It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey aired this week, with allegations they suffered racism within the Royal Family.

People on social media and activists called the cartoon “fake” and “appalling.”

Racial Equality Think Tank Runnymede CEO Dr Halima Begum tweeted: ‘Charlie Hebdo is wrong on every level. Queen as George Floyd’s murderer crushing Meghan’s neck?

Latest cartoon parallels the tragic death of George Floyd while in custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year

Latest cartoon parallels the tragic death of George Floyd while in custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year

‘Meghan says she can’t breathe? It doesn’t push boundaries, make no one laugh, or challenge racism.

“ It demeans problems and causes offense, in all areas. ”

In response, the WindrushAnchor campaign group said: ‘A poor and ill-conceived response from Charlie Hebdo that ignites the issue.

“This form of simplistic satire has no place in the fight against racism. Completely appalling and deeply sad.

Another Twitter user wrote: ‘Is it the freedom of speech that Charlie Hebdo is so passionate about? Racism, disrespect and offense passed for satire? I’m sorry but no I’m for myself.

“It is nothing but racist bigotry and incitement to hatred. Do better with your platform and grow. ‘

Others accused the magazine of “extracting George Floyd’s trauma for profit,” reports The Mirror.

George Floyd’s death in May 2020 sparked outrage as video footage emerged of a policeman kneeling on his neck as he said he couldn’t breathe and members of the public begged him to ‘Stop.

Black Lives Matter protests have taken place across the world to expose police brutality and racial inequality after his death in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Campaigners took to Twitter to share their disgust at Charlie Hebdo's latest cartoon, calling it 'appalling' and 'fake'

Campaigners took to Twitter to share their disgust at Charlie Hebdo’s latest cartoon, calling it ‘appalling’ and ‘fake’

Just this week, Minneapolis City Council unanimously voted to pay an unprecedented $ 27 million to settle a civil lawsuit against the family of George Floyd over his death in custody.

News of the settlement came as jury selection continued in the murder trial of Chauvin, who killed Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nine minutes last summer.

And while some have simply expressed outrage at the Charlie Hebdo cover, human rights and civil rights activist @_SJPeace is calling for the magazine to be removed.

“ A French magazine laughs at the death of Floyd … and Meghan Markle, ” he said.

“This magazine is notorious for being racist and offensive people of color. This magazine must be deleted! ‘

Chauvin is seen kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.  Shortly after, Floyd was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chauvin is seen kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25. Shortly after, Floyd was pronounced dead at the scene.

During Oprah’s shocking interview, Harry and Meghan claimed to have suffered open racism from family members and staff, and alleged that a member of Harry’s family even expressed his’ “ concern ” about the “ darkness ” of their unborn son.

There has been a lot of speculation about the member of the royal family they accused of racism.

But during the interview, the couple were not drawn to those who had deeply offended them.

They also said the family did not support the pressure they were under, leaving Meghan feeling suicidal and fueling their decision to leave the UK.

Harry said he felt disappointed with his father, who he said refused to take his calls at one point, and admitted there was still a rift between him and his brother.

Although they did not expect to receive an easy ride, the royal family were reportedly stunned at the ferocity of the allegations leveled in their direction.

Prince William was the first senior royal to respond directly to the series of allegations made in Oprah's explosive interview, insisting that they are 'not a racist family at all'.

Prince William was the first senior royal to respond directly to the series of allegations made in Oprah’s explosive interview, insisting that they are ‘not a racist family at all’.

There has been significant internal debate over whether to refute many of them, but instead the Queen has personally taken a ‘compassionate but firm’ approach.

Days after the interview, Prince William insisted the royal family was ‘really not a racist family’, a decision supported by the Queen and Prince Charles.

On Thursday, he became the first senior Windsor official to respond directly to the series of allegations made in Oprah’s explosive interview.

This is not the first time that the magazine has come under fire for its controversial cartoons.

In January 2015, the magazine was the target of a terrorist attack, which left 12 dead and 11 injured.

Two armed and masked men, who identified themselves as belonging to the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda, entered the newsroom and shot several members of staff.

The attack came after the magazine published cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 2012.

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