Opinions for and against the British monarchy in 2021 3:01
(CNN) -
French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo caused outrage after publishing a cartoon showing Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom kneeling on the neck of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, in a clear reference to George Floyd's death.
The cover cartoon is published days after Meghan and her husband Harry made a series of statements against the royal family in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, including one about the skin tone of the couple's son, Archie, and how it turned out to be a topic of discussion before it was born.
MORE: Meghan and Harry Interview, A Backstab at the Monarchy?
The couple did not reveal who made the comments, but indicated that it was not Queen Elizabeth II or her husband, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
In the interview, Meghan also revealed suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy and described her brief time as royalty.
They also said the palace offered Meghan and Archie inadequate security and protection.
The cartoon published on Saturday.
The cartoon, released on Saturday, is titled "WHY MEGHAN LEFT BUCKINGHAM," with a cartoon Meghan responding, "Because I couldn't breathe anymore!"
Halima Begum, executive director of the racial equality group Runnymede Trust, said the cartoon was "wrong on every level."
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The queen as George Floyd's killer crushing Meghan's neck?
Meghan saying she can't breathe?
This does not push the boundaries, does not make anyone laugh, and does not challenge racism.
It degrades the problems and causes offenses in all areas, "he said on Twitter.
Meghan and Harry's interview sparked widespread discussions about racism in both the royal family and the country's media.
LOOK: William and Harry's relationship: from brothers to distant individuals
Prince William denied this week that the royal family is racist by replying to a journalist: "We are not a racist family."
In a statement on behalf of the queen, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday that the allegations of racism made by the Sussexes were worrying and "taken very seriously."
Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex declined to comment on the Charlie Hebdo cartoon.
The Paris-based weekly magazine, founded in 1970, is famous for its provocative cartoons and commentary on politicians, public figures, and religious symbols.
In 2015, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi stormed the magazine's newsroom and shot employees, killing 12 and wounding 11 after the magazine published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
The attack on the magazine was part of a series of deadly attacks that killed 17 people in the French capital over three days in January 2015.
CNN's Max Foster contributed to this report.
Charlie Hebdo Meghan Markle Queen Elizabeth II
