The sale of a Dutch translation of a British royals biography has been the center of controversy following the identification of a member of the royal family expressing concern about the potential skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son during her pregnancy, as revealed by the book’s author.
Meghan Markle, being of mixed racial heritage, disclosed in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that there were apprehensions regarding the potential complexion of her son among certain family members. The author of the book “Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival,” Omid Scobie, has faced scrutiny after the Dutch translation named a specific royal family member, resulting in the temporary withdrawal of the book.
The controversy escalated when British TV personality Piers Morgan publicly identified two royals on his program, risking potential legal repercussions. The sensitivity of the issue was further evidenced by Harry’s brother, Prince William, asserting that their family is “very much not a racist family” in response to questions about potential racism in the royal household.
Following these revelations, Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their senior roles as royals in 2020 has come under renewed scrutiny, with the couple attributing their departure partly to the treatment they received from the British tabloid media.
The Dutch publisher cited an “error” in the Dutch edition as the reason for the temporary withdrawal of the book, which is set to be reissued on December 8th. Scobie, in his defense, emphasized that he had refrained from naming the royals in the English version of the book and had no involvement in the translation process.
The unfolding controversy has attracted significant media attention and has led to further inquiries from TIME to the Dutch publisher and the palace press offices. The revelations made in the Dutch translation, alongside recollections from the Winfrey interview, have reignited discussions about the treatment of Harry and Meghan by the royal family and the media, and have prompted broader conversations about racism and unconscious bias.
The episode raises important ethical and legal considerations around privacy, media responsibility, and the implications of revealing sensitive information about public figures. As the debate continues, the aftermath of the disclosures is sure to reverberate across royal circles and public discourse.
Market Capital Research 