Sunny Hostin Isn't Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee: The Monarchy Was 'Built on the Backs of Slaves'

Britain may be commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, but The View's Sunny Hostin wasn't in a celebratory mood Friday morning as she reminded viewers of the monarchy's sordid past.

Though Hostin admitted she used to "love the pomp and circumstance" of the British monarchy and the royal family, she has since changed her tune. "Now that I've learned a little more about the history of England and the colonization — the imperialism and the colonization of the Caribbean, and the fact that Britain and the monarchy took like $1 trillion from Africa," she said, noting that Jamaica and other Caribbean nations are "removing the Queen" from her position as head of state. "Now I'm not as enamored of the pomp and circumstance because it was built on the backs and the souls of slaves."

"Listen, I still think it's great for them," replied Whoopi Goldberg. "Because underneath our carpets is more imperialism. Just ask the people who were here originally."

But unlike Hostin, Whoopi said she's able to overlook the monarchy's imperialist past and celebrate the Queen's 70-year reign. "I'm okay with their pomp and circumstance. That's what they're doing. That's how they're celebrating. This is a big old mark for them. I'm thrilled for them," she said. "It doesn't happen here. We don't do that here."

QUEEN ELIZABETH CELEBRATES PLATINUM JUBILEE: As the UK honors 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth II, excitement has generated across the pond because Prince Harry and Meghan returned to the palace to celebrate – #TheView co-hosts discuss. https://t.co/DLJucmxh9a pic.twitter.com/Dr0v4jVnni

— The View (@TheView) June 3, 2022

Never one to miss an opportunity for a joke, Joy Behar quickly cut in, saying, "You know what? I'll tell you something. Charles Grassley and Mitch McConnell are planning that."

Later in the discussion, Sara Haines said Americans have internalized "childhood ideas about what princesses and princes are," prompting Behar to throw shade at her employer. "Don't you think Disney is responsible for some of that?" asked Behar.

"Well, I purposely did not mention where I saw my princesses and prince!" replied Haines, as the co-hosts laughed conspiratorially.

Be careful, ladies, or you might not make it to the Bahamas at the end of the month.

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.