Author Omid Scobie recently found himself in the midst of a controversy surrounding his book, Endgame. Dutch copies of the book were pulled from the shelves after they reportedly named two members of the royal family who had expressed concerns about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son, Archie. In this article, we will analyze the fallout from this controversy and examine Omid Scobie’s response.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Omid Scobie vehemently denied submitting a book with the names of the two senior royals. He expressed frustration over the error, which is currently under investigation. Despite the claims made in the Dutch translation, Scobie maintained that he has never used the word “racist” to describe these royals. Instead, he described the incident as an example of “unconscious bias” in his book.
Piers Morgan’s Involvement
TV presenter Piers Morgan further fueled the controversy by publicly naming the two senior royals on his TalkTV show and social media accounts. This added another layer of scrutiny to the situation. Morgan’s involvement brought even more attention to the allegations made in Meghan Markle’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Meghan’s Claims and Scobie’s Book
In the interview, Meghan Markle revealed that an unidentified member of the monarchy expressed concerns about Archie’s skin color before he was born. She clarified that Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were not the individuals involved in these conversations. In his book, Omid Scobie alleges that two royals made the controversial comments about Archie. However, the Dutch edition contained their names, leading to its withdrawal from circulation.
Explanation and Response
Omid Scobie explained that the error occurred in the Dutch translation and assured readers that the English version of his book does not name the two royals due to UK laws. He also addressed the accusations of bias, stating that he is not a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and has never had private interviews or exchanged information with Meghan. Scobie emphasized that he has very little interest in their current life in California.
Omid Scobie acknowledged that he knew writing this book would stir controversy. However, he expressed frustration with the personal attacks he has faced as a result. He revealed that his father has been harassed by tabloid journalists, and he has even received death threats. Despite these challenges, Scobie stated that he tried to approach the subject of the royal family in a respectful and mature manner.
According to Omid Scobie, his book was written to spark conversations about the purpose, relevance, and future of the Royal Family. He believes that these uncomfortable discussions need to be had, regardless of how they may make people feel. Scobie considers his work as a contribution to the ongoing debates surrounding the monarchy.
While the controversy continues to unfold, Buckingham Palace has remained silent and has not issued an official comment on the matter. This adds further intrigue to the situation, as the palace’s response could potentially shed more light on the allegations and the overall implications for the royal family.
The Endgame book controversy surrounding Omid Scobie has generated significant attention and scrutiny. With Dutch copies of the book withdrawn and accusations flying, the fallout from this situation is far from over. As the investigation continues and the public awaits Buckingham Palace’s response, the conversations sparked by Scobie’s book may have lasting effects on the future of the Royal Family.