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Prince William’s misquoted statement about the war in Ukraine sparked a backlash online.
On Wednesday, the Duke of Cambridge and his wife Kate Middleton visited the Ukrainian Cultural Center in London to learn about the efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK.
“Everyone is horrified by what they see,” the 39-year-old said during the couple’s visit. “It’s really terrible. News every day, it’s simple, it’s almost incomprehensible. It is very strange for our generation to see this in Europe. We are all right behind you. We are thinking of you. “
Shortly after William’s statement, several media outlets picked up an incorrect quote that was reportedly coming from a reporter who was present at the event. This implied that William, heir to the British throne, was actually saying that the British were more accustomed to seeing conflicts in Africa and Asia, noting that “it’s very unusual to see this in Europe. We are all for you.”
PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE ZELENSKY THANKS PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON FOR SUPPORT DURING RUSSIA’S INVASION
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Holland Park to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe, March 9, 2022 in London, England. Meeting with members of the Ukrainian community and volunteers, Their Royal Highnesses learned about the services offered at the center, the incredible amount of donations they have received, and the challenges they continue to face in getting financial assistance where it is most needed. As part of this, the Duke and Duchess were invited to help sort and pack the donated items. The Duchess treated the workers to homemade cakes, and the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadim Prystaiko and his wife Inna Prystaiko showed them to the couple. (Photo by Ian Fogler-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The incorrect quote was immediately criticized on social media, prompting accusations of racism.
Among those critical of the royal family was CNN host Jake Tupper, who tweeted a photo of William’s great-uncle Edward, Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson shaking hands with Adolf Hitler.
In a recently deleted tweet, the 52-year-old took aim at the quote “It’s very strange to see this in Europe” and added: “Read a book about your family, man.”
Following the backlash, an ITV video of the conservation in question was released on Thursday, which clarified the original report.
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Richard Palmer, the royal correspondent for the London Daily Express, who misquoted the prince, also addressed the controversy on Twitter that day.
“The Duke of Cambridge on the War in Europe”. he tweeted. “He didn’t seem to compare it to the conflicts in Africa and Asia. In the chaos, his remark was misheard, causing an uproar on social media. We apologize for reporting this online.”
The accusation comes nearly a year after William insisted his family was not racist following allegations of bigotry from his brother Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
“We are not a racist family at all,” William told reporters at the time.
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Tupper also shared a new message on Twitter in which he explained his thoughts on the situation.
Among those who criticized Prince William was CNN’s Jake Tupper. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for WarnerMedia)
“Pool’s initial report on this quote from Prince William of the UK was inaccurate, so I deleted my tweet about it,” he explained. “Here is a video with a quote. It is still unhistorical to say that it is “very alien” to a person born in the early 80s to see a war in Europe. The conflict in the Balkans during the 1990s was abhorrent.”
The conflict Tupper was talking about was the Bosnian War that took place in southeastern Europe from 1991 to 1995, according to People magazine. According to the publication, William was nine years old when the conflict began, and 13 when it ended.
A rep for Prince did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Earlier, William and Middleton shared their public support for Ukraine in a joint personal statement posted on their official Twitter account.
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena during an audience at Buckingham Palace on October 7, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“In October 2020, we were honored to meet with President Zelensky and the first lady to learn about their hope and optimism for the future of Ukraine,” the statement said. “Today we support the President and all the people of Ukraine as they courageously fight for this future.”
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the couple, tweeting that he and his wife, Elena, are “thankful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge @RoyalFamily that at this critical time when Ukraine is courageously resisting Russia’s invasion, they support our country and support our brave citizens.”
“Good will prevail,” added the 44-year-old.
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William and Middleton’s Instagram account chronicles the couple’s visit to the centre.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit the Ukrainian Cultural Center at Holland Park on March 9, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)
“Over the past two weeks, communities and organizations here in the UK have come together to provide vital support to Ukrainians here in the UK and across Europe,” the caption reads. “The Ukrainian Cultural Center in London has become one of the many centers for organizing donations, material assistance and support for local Ukrainians. The work of volunteers here to help get help where it is needed most is inspiring.”
“As is the incredible generosity of the British public,” the caption continued. “The Disaster Emergency Committee has already received over £132 million in donations and continues to raise funds to support major humanitarian efforts. Find out more via @DisastersEmergencyCommittee or ask your local charity what they need most.”
During their visit, the couple met with members of the Ukrainian community as well as volunteers. They brought chocolate brownies and muesli bars from the Kensington Palace kitchen and wore pins showing the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.
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Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues after troops invaded on February 24. There are already reports of hundreds of people killed or injured, including children. More than a million Ukrainians have also fled to safety, according to the UN.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.