The BBC has joined other news outlets in naming the senior British royals accused of making comments about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie.
Piers Morgan named King Charles III on his talk TV show on Wednesday. and Kate Middleton after a Dutch version of journalist Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame” mistakenly revealed the royals’ identities.
The book claimed that Prince Harry and Markle were referring to the royal when they told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that a royal had expressed “concerns” about “how dark” Archie’s skin might be. Scobie’s book claimed that a second king, now identified as the Princess of Wales, also discussed the matter.
The names are said to have been printed in error and Scobie has denied ever identifying the people in writing. Dutch publisher Xander investigates and confiscates copies of Scobie’s books from retailers.
The BBC had refused to name the King and Middleton but changed its position on Friday during the broadcast of Today, its flagship news program on Radio 4.
Presenter Nick Robinson said: “To be clear, I told listeners about an hour ago that the BBC had not named them, we are now naming the King and Princess of Wales as those at the center of these allegations.”
A BBC insider told Deadline that managers acknowledged the “dam had broken” and gave Robinson permission to identify the royals at the center of the dispute. Sky News and ITV, as well as US publications such as The New York Times, have also identified the duo.
British newspapers including The Mirror and The Daily Telegraph named the royals on their front pages Friday as the story gained momentum in Britain.
Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment. Buckingham Palace sources said on Thursday that they were “considering all options” in relation to the dispute, including a possible lawsuit. Prince Harry and Markle did not respond to a request for comment.
Scobie has denied identifying the royals. He told ITV’s This Morning: “I’ve never submitted a book with either of their names in it, so I can only talk about my version. I’m obviously frustrated.”
British Security Minister Tom Stimmehat told TalkTV on Thursday: “Someone has written a rumor and rant making various claims about His Majesty the King which, frankly, are completely unproven.”
He added: “I view this as merely a rumor, hearsay and an attempt to denigrate someone who has served our country for many, many years with tremendous dignity and tremendous grace.”