Alexi Lubomirski echoes Sussexes' past claims with personal revelations on discrimination in high fashion
Alexi Lubomirski, the photographer behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s iconic engagement portraits, has spoken out about racism in the fashion industry—drawing fresh parallels to the Sussexes’ explosive claims about racial bias.
In a recent interview, Lubomirski recalled troubling experiences working with major fashion publications, revealing how diversity was discouraged behind the scenes. “Black girls don’t carry high fashion,” one senior magazine editor allegedly told him, reinforcing harmful industry stereotypes.
The acclaimed photographer, who has shot global celebrities and royals alike, said his awareness deepened after working with Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o. She once requested that her skin tone not be lightened during editing—prompting Lubomirski to reflect on his own portfolio. He admitted noticing a stark contrast between the images he submitted and the final published versions, especially when they featured women of colour.
He also revealed how editors routinely justified sidelining non-white models, claiming diversity would hurt sales. “They’d tell me, ‘It comes down to economics... we’re going to sell 40 per cent fewer copies,’” he said.
Lubomirski’s statements come four years after Meghan Markle alleged in her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview that there were “concerns” within the Royal Family about her son Archie’s skin tone before his birth. The photographer’s candid remarks now add to the growing chorus calling out systemic racism in elite circles—from Buckingham Palace to the global fashion stage.
