The late Queen Elizabeth II has been posthumously entangled in a racism controversy following claims made by Omid Scobie, the co-author of "Finding Freedom" and a known commentator on the British Royal Family.
In his latest book, "Endgame," Scobie alleges that the Palace's decision to assign a Ghanaian-born equerry, Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, to assist Meghan Markle was perceived as an insulting gesture. This claim has stirred a new wave of debate surrounding the Royal Family and issues of race.
Scobie, in his book, suggests that the choice to assign Lieutenant Colonel Twumasi-Ankrah, though a well-respected and capable officer, was seen as an attempt to make Meghan, who is biracial, feel comfortable in the predominantly white royal environment. He writes, "Though a charming and intelligent man, it stood out like a sore thumb to Meghan and her friends." This interpretation implies that the appointment was based on race rather than merit or suitability.
The controversy escalated when an early Dutch version of "Endgame" erroneously named King Charles and Princess Kate as the senior royals who allegedly expressed concerns about the skin color of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie. This version of the book was promptly withdrawn from Dutch bookstores, and the publisher, Xaner Uitgevers, initially attributed the mistake to a "translation error" before revising their statement to acknowledge "an error" in the Dutch edition.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward, commenting on the matter, noted, "If Scobie's account is correct, she was offered Lady Susan Hussey and turned her down. Then she was offered the Ghanaian-born equerry to the Queen. I don't know who she thought should be helping her but presumably not an equerry or a lady-in-waiting."
Scobie's allegations have sparked a wider discussion about the treatment of Meghan within the Royal Family and the broader issues of racial sensitivity and inclusivity. The author has clarified that Meghan was not his direct source for these claims.
Despite the controversy, "Endgame" has sold just under 6,500 copies in Britain and frequently portrays the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a positive light. The Sussexes have not publicly commented on the naming row, but a source close to Meghan stated that the information was "not leaked to Mr. Scobie by anyone in her camp."
This latest episode adds another layer to the ongoing narrative about the Royal Family's relationship with race, further complicating the public's perception of one of the world's most watched and scrutinized families.
