Racism row erupts after Piers Morgan criticises Queen Elizabeth’s oldest grandson Peter Phillips over Chinese milk ad
- Queen’s grandson labelled ‘Royal Peter for hire’ after appearing in milk commercial for Shanghai-based Bright Food Group
- TV host Piers Morgan defends himself after mocking Chinese language when commenting on ad
A controversy over Queen Elizabeth’s oldest grandson using his royal connections to sell milk on Chinese television has turned into a celebrity-led race row after one of the UK’s top TV anchors commenting on the story crudely mocked the Chinese language.
Peter Phillips, the 42-year-old son of Princess Anne, sparked criticism after he appeared sipping a glass of milk in a commercial by Shanghai-based Bright Food Group, China’s second largest food conglomerate.
In the ad shown on Dragon TV, Phillips boasts of being raised on Jersey milk from the herd at Windsor Castle before savouring the milk in a room that looks like an English aristocratic home with a view over Shanghai.
Piers Morgan, host of the ITV show Good Morning Britain then fuelled accusations of racism when he mocked the language in the advert, leaving his co-host Susanna Reid cringing.
“At the next royal event, can you imagine Christmas at Sandringham is like – ‘I’m sorry your majesty, but I only drink yang yank yong ying ming milk’,” he said.
As they aired the ad again, Morgan continued: “OK then – ching chang chong, OK I got it.”
