Tatler article claiming British men prefer American women outrages readers

Society magazine Tatler has come under fire for an article republished in response to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement, which would some feel would look more at home in a sexist 1950’s dating guide than a 21st century glossy mag.

The article, which is meant to explain why Britain’s eligible bachelors choose American women over women from their own country, makes a number of preposterous claims.

It's hard to tell where Tatler's knowing tone ends and its tone-deafness begins, as it casually states that the "hapless British male" is generally thrilled to meet women with "sparkling teeth and considerably more charm than the Sloanes he was used to dating".

It also claims that "average English girl rarely brushes her hair and never cleans her ears", and cites it as a key reason why "Britain's bachelors are falling for spruce All-American charms."

An Old Etonian is quoted as saying that "for a lot of British chaps, it is easier to go out with a foreigner than to find a girl from home with the right background".

Ranging from disgust to outrage, many readers have taken to Twitter to express their concerns with the article.

Managing to be offensive to both Americans and British, the Tatler article attacks British-American relationships at a time when most people are celebrating the union of the happy couple.

In an effort to defend the piece, a spokeswoman for Tatler told the Evening Standard, "This is a piece that first appeared in the April 2015 issue of Tatler" and "The word 'foreigner' was not an editorial opinion, but a direct quote from a source, referring to a person not holding a UK passport."