Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Face Backlash Over Deal With Company Selling Skin-Whitening Creams

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in hot water again after they signed a deal with Procter & Gamble because the company manufactures skin-lightening creams.

Last week, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would be working with Procter & Gamble. The move raised some eyebrows because the company is known for selling skin-lightening creams, and many felt it wasn't appropriate for Markle to do so considering that she's a woman of color and the couple has been fighting against racism.

The company sells Olay, a brand that manufactures White Radiance moisturizer in India, Malaysia and Singapore. In India, the product is promoted to help one achieve "radiant and brighter skin."

It also sells Olay White Radiance Light Perfecting Essence in the Philippines, and other similar products in Lagos and Nigeria.

"Meghan has talked a lot about the issue of race and racism, so this does stick out like a sore thumb," Alex Malouf, a former P&G executive, told Daily Mail.

Campaigner Nina Davuluri, the first Indian-American to win Miss America, argued that skin-whitening creams sell a "racist ideology" because it gives one the notion "that you need white skin to be beautiful, you need white skin to be successful."

Twitter users also reacted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new deal, and many of them felt that the royal couple was being hypocritical again.

"Whoa....some Royal RACIST hypocrisy. Harry and Meghan sign deal with a SKIN WHITENING company," one tweeted with laughing emoji.

"LOL!!! Can't make up this crap.I hope they return to the UK. America doesn't need the Naked Vegas Prince on American soil, along with his not so Royal, DList actress wife..." another user wrote along with the report of them facing backlash over their new deal.

"These 2 greedy weirdos are too busy running an eager deal signing marathon that they don't even care to assess for hypocrisy or sensitivity. Can't wait till these 2 start selling Royal-tear flavored ice chips," a third user added.

Meanwhile, some still supported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. One said that whitening creams have other uses, like for age spots and moles. Another questioned the report because the deal was allegedly for charity.

"Not a fan of Harry and Meghan, but skin whitening cream is used to fade age spots and moles," one commented.

"What about skin darkening? So Its ok to sell tanning lotions or visit a tanning booth? Whitening that's a BIG NO! This crazy BS has to stop..." another user wrote questioning the rage against whitening products.

"This article doesn't even mention what the 'deal' is, its a charity 'deal' and Procter and Gamble are going to donate free diapers to a charity that helps homeless mothers in LA. Harry and Meghan don't gain anything from this deal for themselves. The Daily Mail sucks," a third user wrote.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020, in London. Photo: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images