Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, caused controversy yesterday (08.07.08) with a golliwog keyring attached to her expensive Burberry handbag.
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The duchess, who is married to Britain’s Prince Charles, unwittingly showed off the toy – which was abolished after it was deemed racist in 1983 – as she opened her car boot at Surrey’s Hampton Court Flower Show.
Racism activists insist the toy shows Camilla is “out of touch” with today’s society.
Simon Woolley of Operation Black Vote said: “It harks back to a bygone era. It’s inappropriate and shows she is out of touch.”
Peter Herbert, from the Society of Black Lawyers, added: “It is still an offensive symbol. You would hope the royal family would have a bit more sensitivity and common sense.”
However, a spokesperson for Camilla’s London residence Clarence House claimed the keyring was a gift, saying: “The duchess didn’t mean to cause any offence.”
