02 December 2023 , 11:50
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Kate Middleton's uncle has branded controversial royal author Omid Scobie a "weasel" and says claims the princess is a racist are "bonkers".
The Dutch version of the controversial author's new book Endgame named the Princess of Wales and King Charles as the members of the Firm who allegedly questioned how dark then-unborn Prince Archie's skin would be. During their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan and Prince Harry had first referred to the alleged incident - though did not reveal who had supposedly made the remarks.
Royal journalist Mr Scobie - who previously penned biography Finding Freedom about the Sussexes - denies being friends with Meghan. And he has fiercely defended himself over the row, claiming he did not submit any manuscript that included the names. Asked on BBC Newnight if he would apologise for the naming, he said: "It's not for me to apologise because I still want to know what has happened."
On Thursday morning, Scobie told ITV's This Morning he had "never submitted a book that had their names in it". The Dutch version has been withdrawn from sale. Publishing house Xander Uitgevers said the book would be re-released on Friday in a "rectified" version.
Gary Goldsmith (UK Press via Getty Images)"An error occurred in the Dutch translation and is currently being rectified," said its managing director, Anke Roelen, on Tuesday night. Saskia Peeters - who is listed in the Dutch version's preface as a translator said on Thursday she "doesn't know why" Mr Scobie would deny the names appeared in his manuscript she was given.
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Kate and Charles' names crop up in a passage about an exchange of letters between Meghan and the king regarding members of the Royal Family and unconscious bias. The princess' uncle Gary Goldsmith, writing in the Daily Mail, said: "Everything that weaselly individual writes has a negative spin that's not deserved."
He went on to say: "Racism isn't something which is inherent in anyone. It comes from an environment. Both Kate's mum Carole and I grew up in Southall, West London. Colour, race, age, creed and religious beliefs have never been a factor in our friendships or values. To think Kate would buck that trend is totally bonkers."
Omid Scobie on BBC Newsnight (BBC)He added: "The whole book is just a tapestry of gibber and falsehoods sewn together with his personal opinion. It is Scobie milking his relationship with the Sussexes for every cent it's worth and stirring up a pot which has been stirred enough. Let's face it, this one-sided snidey account will make it even harder for any of the Royal Family to reach out to Harry and Meghan now or in the short-term future." Buckingham Palace has so far maintained their traditional approach of "never complain, never explain" after the Dutch translation of Mr Scobie's book was taken off the shelves this week.
When the Sussexes first made their explosive allegations on Oprah, in an interview broadcast around the world, they set in train a public debate about who in the royal family might harbour such racially charged views. In a multicultural modern Britain such allegations against the monarchy generated debate on a matter of such public importance with Scobie's new book claiming to add to that public debate.