U.K. Politician Responds to Royal Book Controversy, Defends Two Senior Royals Named in Scandal.HL

A U.K. politician has come to the defense of King Charles and Kate Middleton amid renewed controversy sparked by a Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s book Endgame. The book, which addresses issues of race and unconscious bias within the royal family, reportedly names both Charles and Kate as participants in a conversation regarding concerns about the skin color of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son, Archie, before his birth. This claim has reignited the public debate over the royal family’s handling of race and the treatment of the Sussexes, especially in light of their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla in Edinburgh, Scotland

Tom Tugendhat, a U.K. government minister, has firmly rejected the allegations, labeling them as “rumor and hearsay.” During an appearance on TalkTV, Tugendhat praised King Charles, emphasizing his “dignity” and “grace” in public service. He expressed his belief that the claims were unfounded, stating, “The King’s done a brilliant job for us… he’s been absolutely fantastic for many, many years in arguing in the interests of the British people.” He further dismissed the book’s claims as an attempt to “disparage somebody who’s served our country with enormous dignity.”

The controversy stems from the 2021 Oprah interview, during which Meghan and Harry revealed that there were concerns within the royal family about how dark Archie’s skin would be. At the time, Meghan chose not to identify the individuals involved, stating that revealing their identities would be too damaging. However, the Dutch version of Endgame has reportedly named Charles and Kate as being part of the conversation, though the English version of the book does not make such direct claims.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Festival of Remembrance ceremony at Royal Albert Hall in London

Following the publication of Endgame in the Netherlands, Buckingham Palace issued a statement indicating that aides are “considering all options” in response to the claims, suggesting that legal action could be on the table. Kensington Palace, which represents Princess Kate, declined to comment. Meanwhile, Scobie has denied that the identification of Charles and Kate in the Dutch version was intentional or a marketing strategy, calling it an “error.” He defended the publication, stating that journalists had known the names for a long time, though they had adhered to journalistic ethics in not disclosing them.

The controversy has led to a broader discussion about race and unconscious bias, which Prince Harry himself touched on during an interview promoting his memoir Spare. Harry clarified that he did not accuse his family of racism but instead noted the difference between racism and unconscious bias. Despite this, the renewed focus on the royal family’s internal dynamics has led to more scrutiny, particularly surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s ongoing rift with the rest of the family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their interview with Oprah Winfrey

While the scandal has fueled speculation, both Charles and Kate have remained largely silent, maintaining their dignified public personas. Their supporters, like Tugendhat, continue to defend them against the allegations, calling for a focus on their years of service and commitment to the British public. The controversy, however, is far from over, with the palace still considering its response and public opinion divided on the matter.