The release of Omid Scobie's new biography, "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival," has stirred significant controversy, particularly in the Netherlands where it was abruptly pulled from bookshelves. This development follows Scobie's bold move to identify the royal family member allegedly involved in questioning the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son, Archie, before his birth.
The bombshell claim in Scobie's book reignited the intense discourse around race and the British monarchy, an issue that first gained widespread attention during Harry and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. In the interview, the couple revealed that a senior royal raised concerns about how dark their child's skin might be, a revelation that sent shockwaves around the world and led to accusations of racism within the royal family.
Scobie, known for his close coverage of Harry and Meghan, reportedly names King Charles, who was then Prince Charles, as the royal who made the controversial remarks. This allegation has yet to be confirmed by the royal family, and the Dutch publisher, Xanders Publishers, has refrained from commenting on the specifics of why the book's sales were halted. Representatives for Markle, Scobie, Xander, and Buckingham Palace have all been approached for comments on these latest developments.
In their interview with Winfrey, Meghan, who is biracial, described how there were "several" conversations about Archie's skin color. This claim was supported by Harry, who also expressed his shock at the conversation. However, in a later interview, Harry attempted to clarify these remarks, suggesting that the royal family's concerns were not rooted in racism but rather reflected "unconscious bias." He argued that recognizing and addressing these biases presents an opportunity for personal and institutional growth.
The revelation and subsequent removal of Scobie's book from shelves in the Netherlands have sparked a renewed debate on the intersection of race and the British monarchy. It raises questions about the internal dynamics of the royal family and the challenges Harry and Meghan faced as senior members. This incident underscores the sensitivity of race-related issues within the monarchy and highlights the ongoing impact of Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from their royal duties.
The controversy surrounding "Endgame" and its allegations adds another layer to the already complex narrative of the British royal family's relationship with race, further complicating the public's perception of the monarchy's stance on these critical social issues.
