Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's Wedding Plans Plagued With 'Racist' Anthrax Threat
Months before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, a threat in a form of a "racist" letter with white powder, thought as anthrax, has already almost reached them.
The letter was addressed to the royal couple and was blocked before reaching Prince Harry and Markle, thanks to multiple security procedures. Palace personnel immediately sought the help of the Metropolitan Police to have the powder examined, initially purported as anthrax, but was found to be harmless.
Meanwhile, the letter was dubbed as a "racist hate crime" after several reports said it contained racist remarks, though no details were provided on the specifications of the content. The snail mail arrived on Feb. 12 on St. James's Palace for sorting before it would be delivered to the couple in Nottingham Cottage.
"Police are investigating after a package containing a substance was delivered to St. James's Palace on Monday, February 12," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said to People.
Meanwhile, a similar problem ensued with Home Secretary Amber Rudd's office. It had received a parcel containing with the same white powder, later tested and cleared. The trend had grown popular since its first use in 2001. Whether this was related to Prince Harry and Markle's threat is still under investigation.
Security Measures Heightened?
The former Suit actress and her 33-year-old fiancé already knew of the package as of writing, according to reports, albeit the Palace had not released any statement. Police are downplaying the "racist" anthrax scare, and security measures for the wedding day are still under evaluation.
Now with this big scare that had engulfed the Palace, it is just expected that security would be on heightened alert on days leading to and on Prince Harry and Markle's big day. May 19's event would have the newlyweds on a procession, starting from St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and will take on Castle Hill, High Street, Sheet Street, King's Road, Albert Road, and Long Walk.
After which, the procession will go back to the castle for reception. As of late, Prince Harry and Markle's nuptial plans remain the same. The security, which was a large chunk of the wedding budget, will be tightened, meaning expenses would be increased.
It was noted that the security expenses for the upcoming royal wedding could top 2011's wedding measures for Prince William and Kate Middleton after the recent anthrax scare. However, additional expenses, shouldered by the taxpayers, could earn more negative perception about Prince Harry and Markle's wedding.
