Nelson Mandela’s grandson has dismissed Meghan Markle’s claims that her wedding was celebrated like his grandfather’s liberation.
In a recent interview, the Duchess of Sussex suggested her marriage to Prince Harry sparked scenes of joy in South Africa reminiscent of the release of the anti-apartheid campaigner.
However, Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela, a member of South Africa’s parliament, dismissed these suggestions and added he was “surprised” by her remarks.
He said they “could not be equated to as the same” after Meghan’s remarks came in a bombshell interview with The Cut magazine.
Meghan had said that back in 2019 a cast member of the Lion King stage production made the comparison between her royal wedding and Madiba’s walk to freedom.
Speaking to the Mail Online, Mr Mandela said: “Madiba's celebration was based on overcoming 350 years of colonialism with 60 years of a brutal apartheid regime in South Africa.
"So it cannot be equated to as the same.”
He went onto add that when the people of South Africa celebrated his grandfather’s release it was far more important than her marriage “to a white prince”.
The African National Congress MP added: “We are still bearing scars of the past. But they were (Mr Mandela's celebrations) a product of the majority of our people being brought out onto the streets to exercise the right of voting for the first time.”
The Mirror has approached Mr Mandela for comment.
Meghan said she had been told people “rejoiced in the streets” when she married into the Royal Family in 2018.
In the interview she said: “I just had Archie. It was such a cruel chapter. I was scared to go out.”
She then remembered how a cast member from South Africa pulled her aside.
“He looked at me, and he’s just said, ‘I just need you to know: When you married into this family, we rejoiced in the streets the same we did when Mandela was freed from prison.’”
The revelations came in her latest bombshell interview where she spoke openly about the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and said they were “happy” to leave the UK.
During the interview, Meghan said: "Harry said to me, ‘I lost my dad in this process.’ It doesn’t have to be the same for them as it was for me, but that’s his decision."
Prince Charles was reportedly hurt by the suggestions made in the recent interview about his closeness with Harry, with a source saying he would have been “saddened” if he lost his relationship with his son.
"The Prince of Wales loves both his sons," they said.
