The Bachelor: Matt James gives final rose to Rachael Kirkconnell

Bachelor fans are left stunned after Matt James chooses Rachael Kirkconnell in finale after ‘racist’ behavior: First black bachelor then reveals they BROKE UP when he learned she attended Antebellum South party

Matt James declined to propose to finalist Rachael Kirkconnell who was embroiled in a racism controversy during the season finale Monday of The Bachelor, but gave her his final rose.

The 29-year-old businessman wrestled with his decision until the very end before offering Rachael, 24, his final rose but without a proposal.

Matt earlier eliminated Michelle Young, 27, after she and Rachael met his mother Patty and older brother John during the season 25 finale on ABC.

Season finale: Matt James declined to propose to finalist Rachael Kirkconnell who was embroiled in a racism controversy during the season finale Monday of The Bachelor, but gave her his final rose

The first Black male lead in the history of The Bachelor franchise picked out a ring from jeweler Neil Lane before meeting Rachael in the woods at the Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania, but kept it in his pocket.

Rachael last month apologized for racist behavior including liking racist social media posts, bullying a girl for dating Black men in high school and attending a plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018.

Longtime host Chris Harrison, 49, defended Rachael, but later issued an apology before announcing that he was ‘stepping aside for a period of time’ from the franchise and would not host the After The Final Rose special.

Matt struggled with making a marriage commitment after his mother Patty warned him not to rely on just love alone because feelings could fade.

Tough decision: The 29-year-old businessman wrestled with his decision until the very end before offering Rachael, 24, his final rose but without a proposal

Tough decision: The 29-year-old businessman wrestled with his decision until the very end before offering Rachael, 24, his final rose but without a proposal

He told Rachael that the ‘easy thing’ would be to brush aside his feelings and propose to make her happy.

‘But I couldn’t live with myself if I put you through what my mom’s been through,’ said Matt, who was raised by single mom Patty after his father left.

‘I’ve seen what rushing into a proposal, a marriage, can do in my family. …And it’s ugly, and it’s not something that I want for you for for us. …And that’s why I can’t propose to you today,’ Matt told Rachael.

No ring: 'I've seen what rushing into a proposal, a marriage, can do in my family. ...And it's ugly, and it's not something that I want for you for for us. ...And that's why I can't propose to you today,' Matt told Rachael

No ring: ‘I’ve seen what rushing into a proposal, a marriage, can do in my family. …And it’s ugly, and it’s not something that I want for you for for us. …And that’s why I can’t propose to you today,’ Matt told Rachael

Matt then said that he didn’t want to lose Rachael and intended to leave with her.

They both then expressed their love for each other before Matt offered his final rose and Rachael accepted.

Matt and Rachael then rode off together in a white, horse-drawn carriage. 

Riding off: Matt and Rachael then rode off together in a white, horse-drawn carriage

Riding off: Matt and Rachael then rode off together in a white, horse-drawn carriage