Meghan Markle Praises Norfolk Police Chief's Leadership Following Protests

Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone received some high praise from a member of the royal family when Meghan Markle praised his leadership during the protests that were sparked by the death of George Floyd.

In a commencement speech to graduates at her alma mater Immaculate Heart High School, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and reminisced about growing up during the Los Angeles riots.

"The other thing though that I do remember about that time was how people came together," Markle said. "And we're seeing that right now. We are seeing that from the sheriff in Michigan or the police chief in Virginia. We are seeing people stand in solidarity, we are seeing communities come together and to uplift and you are going to be part of this movement."

The police chief mentioned is Chief Boone. In a tweet on Sunday, Norfolk Police Department thanked Markle for recognizing Boone's "leadership and willingness to support the [community's] desire to be heard during demonstrations" in Norfolk.

After Floyd's death, Chief Boone called for the officers involved to be fired and charged with murder, 13 News Now reports. He also marched and spoke with demonstrators, taking time to listen to their concerns.

"They are expressing their grievances and their grievances are real," Boone said in June. "They are very emotional in these surreal times, times that I haven't seen in 30 years. You saw a man killed for public consumption for the whole world to see. And it pains me to think that some loved one would see that, to see the life leave his body as he cried out for his mother."

According to WAVY, his actions led to Governor Ralph Northam appointing him to the Virginia Crime Commission, where he said he would be committed to discussing police de-escalation, duty to intervene, and accreditation of law enforcement agencies.

"We are grateful for the example Chief Boone has set for upcoming leaders in the law enforcement profession," NPD said in another tweet Sunday.

Meghan Markle's full speech can be seen and read here.

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