Although I understand, given the current climate of woke-ism, why many may be frustrated at this story making the headlines and agree it's all been blown out of proportion a bit, I think there is more to it than this.

From what I have read, I am led to believe that the woman in question was asked where she came from and that she replied th a t she was born in the uk but that the former lady in waiting was not satisfied with this answer and continued to ask where she was "really from". If this is true, then I have to say that the accusation of racism seems true. Doubtless, given the age and position of the former lady in waiting, this is partly a generational thing too-but this does not make It right.

It may be a subtle point but many second/third plus generation "immigrants" born and bred in this country see themselves as English (albeit with a heritage from another country). They get understandably annoyed when some white English people don't then consider them "proper" English-mostly on account of their skin colour. A cursory look at the history of these isles however shows the British to be a very much a mongrel race and so the concept of a "pure" English heritage is pretty much bollox. I assume most who subscribe to the view simply mean "white".

Personally, I see nothing wrong in asking about someone's heritage if it is through genuine interest or relevant and, in itself, is certainly not racist but it can also clearly be used as part of racist behaviour.

Interestingly, the Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, recently raised her own concerns about the current woke culture and how too many are forced to self censor themselves for fear of offending someone to the detriment of free speech. As Obama and many others have pointed out, conflict and disagreement are far more likely to be resolved through communication and open and honest debate than unhealthy censorship.