Prince Charles is being criticised for naming Katy Perry as the ambassador for the British Asian Trust.
The popstar took to the stage at the reception in London last night, where she revealed she planned to “help shine my light on the work that the British Asian Trust will be doing in South Asia”.
WATCH: Katy Perry promises to ‘sing’ to Prince Charles’ plants
People were quick to take to social media to slam the Prince of Wales’ selection of Perry.
“Colonialism at it’s finest. Of course we want to help on the biggest platform possible. But can’t we find a South Asian worldwide representative instead of someone renowned for cultural appropriation and tone deafness?” wrote one person on Twitter.
Another added: “Katy Perry as British Asian Trust ambassador – what part is British and what part is Asian? Or has she a long lost family history suggesting that she’s all of the above.”
A third chimed in: “Katy Perry, who is not British… or Asian… has been appointed ambassador for the British Asian Trust? Okay, tell me again, slowly.”
TV presenter Anila Chowdhry also got involved in the debate, saying: “It was a bit of an eye roll moment seeing Katy Perry becoming ambassador of British Asian Trust. Because the charity clearly thinks no-one from the charity is big enough from the minority community to get their message across into mainstream.
Chowdhry continued: “But it is important to have diversity in charities to reach different communities and get the message out there.
Chowdhry continued: “But it is important to have diversity in charities to reach different communities and get the message out there.
“So understandable why they’ve done it, if they aren’t reaching wider communities.”
Charles reportedly selected Perry because he met her in Mumbai last year and praised her “long-standing commitment to charitable causes around the world.”
Back in November, the 71-year-old royal met with representatives from the British Asian Trust, alongside Perry.
The organisation aims to deliver programs in South Asia that champion the use of social finance products to drive positive change, and Katy apparently wanted to help out.
