The monarchy is believed to be “deeply dismayed” after Piers Morgan went on British television last night to name the two senior royals who Omid Scobie claimed had “concerns” about Prince Archie’s skin color.
Meghan Markle first made this claim in the Sussexes’ infamous Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021, when she revealed that there had been “multiple conversations” between her, Harry and members of the royal family about “how dark” Archie is would be skin.
While the Duchess of Sussex did not name them for fear it would damage her reputation, Morgan identified the accused royals on his talk TV show last night – and he followed up on the claim by addressing them to his 8.7 millions of social media followers.
On Tuesday it emerged that a Dutch translation of Scobie’s book containing the names was available for sale in the Netherlands. The publisher was forced to withdraw and destroy copies, under the widely derided claim that it was a translation error.
The two accused senior royals were not publicly named here until Morgan’s move last night.
Royal commentators told Web it was “the wrong thing” and described Morgan’s stunt as “shameful”, “wicked” and “vicious”. They also criticized Scobie’s book Endgame, which one described as a “rant against the royal family.”
The royal family is understood to be “considering all options”, including legal action – as royal sources told the Mirror there was “utter dismay” at Buckingham Palace after the names quickly went viral on social media.
On his talk TV show tonight, Piers Morgan named the two senior royals who Omid Scobie claims are the ones who have “concerns” about Prince Archie’s skin color
The royal family is understood to be “considering all options”, including legal action. Pictured: Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games in September
In this official photo from July 2019, Prince Archie is pictured with his parents at his christening
The Dutch translation of Mr. Scobie’s book “Endgame” appeared to reveal the name of the person who allegedly made the comment. Pictured: Omid Scobie
Morgan tried to justify his decision by saying he was responding to the witch hunt sparked by Harry and Meghan’s decision to raise the issue of race without providing context or granting a right to respond. The royal family later said the allegations were concerning but that memories may vary.
The row was reignited this week by Omid Scobie’s “toxic” royal book on the monarchy, in which he said there were not one but two senior royals identified by the Duchess of Sussex in letters subsequently sent to her King Charles wrote on this subject next year.
Morgan argued that this would allow people in the UK to have a “more open debate about this whole fuss”, saying: “Because I don’t think anyone from the royal family has ever made racist comments, and as long as there are no real ones. “I will never believe it if there is evidence that these comments were made.
“But now we can start to find out whether they were ever uttered, what context they were in and whether there was any racist intent at all – as I said, I don’t think there was any.” The Royals, who in this called a book are…’
The Mail has decided at this point not to name the people involved and has redacted its quotes.
Morgan’s decision is likely to cause anger and disappointment at Buckingham Palace, which had refused to get involved in the row sparked by Scobie’s book and had probably hoped that gossip on the issue would be limited to online and social media chatter would.
Royal commentator Angela Levin told Web: “I think that’s wrong because in a way it helps Harry and Meghan to mock the royals… punish and humiliate the royals.”
She said Buckingham Palace would be “appalled” by Morgan’s comments, adding: “It’s just so unnecessary and spiteful and evil.”
“I think it’s very wrong of him to call it what it is.” I think we should all keep our mouths shut because we’re not on Omid’s side, are we? He certainly isn’t. He is not on Harry or Meghan’s side and I think it is therefore a mistake.
Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator, agreed that Morgan “should not have named her” and said that “the circumstances are extremely serious.”
He told Web: “To suddenly grab the attention of the nation and push yourself forward in this way is, in my opinion, absolutely disgraceful and just shows that certain people will do anything to gain publicity.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their little son Archie in South Africa in September 2019
Copies of British journalist and writer Omid Scobie’s book Endgame are sold in a bookshop in London. The Dutch edition of the book about the British royal family has been temporarily removed from shelves in the Netherlands due to an error
The original claim was made by Meghan Markle in the Sussexes’ infamous 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview (pictured), when she revealed that there had been “multiple conversations” between her, Harry and members of the royal family about “how dark” Archie was would be
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are pictured in Australia in 2018
Mr Fitzwilliams described Scobie’s book as a “rant against the royal family” and said it was “exactly what he wanted”. “Coincidentally he got that from Piers Morgan,” he added.
He continued: “The circumstances that led to the names appearing in the Dutch edition of Endgame were not explained and must certainly have resulted in Scobie learning the names from the Sussexes and not from friends, given how sensitive it is is.”
“Yet both deny cooperation, that is certainly wrong.” In his book, Scobie makes it clear that he thinks the monarchy is in decline, perhaps even terminal decline.
“He took the chance to cause embarrassment in strange circumstances. “He was helped to speak out by the appalling verdict from Piers Morgan.”
Mr Fitzwilliams said Piers could have opted for a reticence, which would have given “the palace and others a chance to recruit their mistakes and see what they wanted to do”, but instead caused a “very significant stir”.
Sussex insiders said Harry and Meghan had nothing to do with Scobie’s book. Scobie has been friends with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the past and co-authored their biography, Finding Freedom.
Royal author Phil Dampier said the previous withholding of the royal family’s name was “incredibly unfair to other members of the royal family because speculation was rife.”
He added: “They simply represented an investigation or an observation that appears to be completely normal and acceptable for many black and mixed-race families.”
“Harry himself has ridden back and said that he and Meghan have never accused anyone of being racist.” So the whole thing has been blown out of proportion and perhaps in some ways it’s better to be frank so that we can have an open and can have an honest discussion about it.”
Mr Dampier believes the royal family may need to change the late Queen’s “never complain, never explain” policy, adding: “I think they’ll be scratching their heads at Buckingham Palace wondering what this is The best thing is what you can do about it.”‘
He continued: “The fact that these names have been published on the internet in this world that we live in… is a travesty and so I can understand why Piers did this.” But whether it was a wise decision remains to be seen show the time.”
Scobie claimed in the English version of his book Endgame that although he knew the names of the two people involved – and had hinted at even more clues in the US media in recent days – he did not name them due to strict libel laws in the UK could.
Meanwhile, pressure mounted on Scobie last night to explain how a second member of the royal family was named in a Dutch translation of his book.
Neither Meghan nor Prince Harry have named the person involved since speaking out about it in their sensational 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, which led to feverish speculation about the identity of the “royal racist.”
Scobie and his Netherlands-based publishers were forced to pull the book from shelves and put publication on hold, but dismissed it as a “translation error.” Scobie then insisted on Dutch television that there was “no version of me in which names were mentioned.”
However, yesterday it emerged that in the Dutch version – 200 pages later – a second name had been published alongside a repeat of the first. And this time it wasn’t just a word, but a sentence.
It said: “Even after Meghan and Charles discussed possible unconscious bias within the family in a letter after it was revealed that…”[redacted] And… [redacted] had participated in such discussions about Archie,… [redacted] I avoided discussing the topic with… [redacted].’
Omid Scobie before the Platinum Jubilee Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, 2022
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children Archie and Lilibet in December 2021
An edited version of an English translation of the Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s Endgame, published by Rick Evers, a Netherlands-based royal journalist who owns a copy of the book
Furthermore, in the English version and other translations, Scobie writes that he believes he cannot name the people involved for legal reasons, but there is no such statement in the Dutch edition.
Publishing experts yesterday questioned how such a monumental mistake could have occurred.
Some speculated that an early draft may have been sent to Dutch publisher Xander Uitgevers that intentionally named the two royals before legal advice was given and the identities were removed.
Sources in the Netherlands pointed out that it was a small company, unlike literary giant Harper Collins, which publishes Endgame in the US and UK.
“Perhaps someone didn’t see a memo instructing them to delete certain paragraphs for legal reasons, or someone from America simply forgot to send the revised manuscript to this tiny country in Europe?” they asked. “There doesn’t seem to be any explanation other than what was originally there.”
Dutch royal journalist Rick Evers, who first noticed the discrepancy, added: “When you compare the English and Dutch versions, it becomes clear that there are significant discrepancies between the two.”
“The Dutch version contains additional paragraphs with names that are not included in the English version.” So it cannot be a translation error. This suggests that they were in the version originally sent to the Dutch publishers. There is no other way.’
Ms Levin said the “mistranslation” was “nonsense” and added: “It’s some kind of trick.” I think that’s a way to get more publicity, and indeed he has.
“And I think Harry should sue him for that. I think he should sue him for invasion of privacy.
“And if he doesn’t do anything, I mean, it’s too horrible for words. He isn’t invited to Christmas. It’s a very strange situation.’
Scobie, who has received many negative reviews for his critical book, admitted that a “mistake” had occurred but did not repeat his claim that he had “never” written a version that included the names.
He said: “As I have only written and edited the English version of Endgame, I can only comment on that manuscript – which does not name the two people who took part in the conversation.”
“I’m pleased to hear that the error in the translation of the Dutch edition of the book is being corrected.” Xander confirmed that an “error” had occurred and said the “corrected” edition would be available in stores from December 8th .
Buckingham Palace declined to comment. PR expert Mark Borkowski said: “These arguments and chatter will just stop.” When [Harry’s memoir] “Spare has done nothing to displace the royal brand. A journalist whose credibility is in question will do nothing.”
International media lawyer Mark Stephens suggested the royals could sue Scobie on privacy grounds, adding: “It’s difficult to imagine a name unknown to a translator becoming a name.” This is an unusual translation error.”