In the latest royal revelation, Omid Scobie's book "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival" paints a complex picture of the interactions between Meghan Markle and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Scobie, a seasoned royal biographer, claims that Sophie offered little support to Meghan during her challenging transition into the royal family, even labeling her as "casually bigoted."
Scobie's allegations stem from comments Sophie Wessex reportedly made about the explosive Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The author accuses the Duchess of Edinburgh and her husband, Prince Edward, of appearing dismissive and potentially insensitive, especially given Oprah's stature as a prominent black figure in entertainment. Their seemingly flippant remarks during a media interaction, questioning "Oprah who?" and expressing ignorance about the interview, have been criticized by Scobie as either a poorly timed joke or a display of insensitivity.
Contradicting Scobie's assertions, however, is an anonymous source who spoke to The Sun, claiming that Sophie Wessex did, in fact, extend a supportive hand to Meghan. According to this insider, Sophie invited Meghan to her home for tea, offering guidance and an open line for advice. This gesture reportedly came from Sophie's own challenging experience of integrating into the royal family, an ordeal she admitted took her five years to adjust to. Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing Sophie's journey, even suggested her as a mentor for Meghan, according to another royal author, Gyles Brandreth.
Despite these efforts, the relationship between Meghan and Sophie did not seem to flourish. Meghan, having the support of Prince Harry, reportedly did not feel the need for further guidance, leading to a lack of further communication between the two Duchesses. This culminated in a sense of surprise from Sophie, who expected more reciprocal engagement following their initial meeting.
The strained dynamics within the royal family were further highlighted in Prince Harry and Meghan's candid interview with Oprah, where they discussed experiencing racism and lack of support within the royal household. Although Harry clarified that the family members who made concerning remarks about their son Archie's skin color were not acting out of racism but unconscious bias, the incident added fuel to the ongoing debate about the monarchy's approach to diversity and inclusion.
Scobie's book "Endgame" delves into these intricate relationships and the undercurrents within the royal family, revealing the challenges faced by newcomers like Meghan. His portrayal of Sophie Wessex's interactions with Meghan Markle adds a new layer to the public's understanding of the internal workings of the British monarchy, a narrative that continues to captivate and divide public opinion.
