Newsroom
The Dutch release of "Endgame" by Omid Scobie faced an abrupt removal from bookshelves due to a critical detail not found in any other edition.
According to a report on The Telegraph, the book, titled "Eindstrijd" in the Netherlands, reveals an identity that was supposedly confirmed in private letters, pointing to a key figure involved in the racism scandal surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The controversial revelation, absent from other editions, asserts that the individual responsible had no ill intentions or biases, according to Scobie's Dutch translation.
The book quotes a royal insider emphasizing the person's desire to clarify their stance, deeming it "very important."
Fabian Paagman, a bookstore owner in the Netherlands, shared that they were instructed to remove the book immediately after it was placed on the shelves, without receiving a specific reason from the publisher, Xander.
The scandal revolves around a letter sent by the Duchess to her father-in-law, Prince Charles, expressing concerns about unconscious bias in the Royal family.
The letter was sent in the aftermath of the Sussexes' March 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, during which Meghan alleged that a member of the Royal family had speculated about the color of her unborn son's skin.
In the UK version of the book, Scobie reveals that the Duchess complained about two individuals making comments about Prince Archie's skin tone but refrains from naming them, citing "laws in the UK."
However, the Dutch translation includes the critical detail of naming one of the alleged culprits. The book asserts that the person had no ill will or bias, a point considered crucial in the Dutch edition.
The Duchess's letter, understood to be a response to one from the King, is believed to be the only contact from a senior member of the family following the Oprah interview.
The King expressed sadness over the growing rift within the Royal family and disappointment at the high-profile and damaging allegations made by the Duke and Duchess.
The Duke, in subsequent interviews, insisted that they never accused the Royal family of racism, marking a potential olive branch to his family. The issue was not addressed in the Sussexes' Netflix documentary series or the Duke's memoir.
Dutch publisher Xander Uitgevers temporarily withdrew the book, citing a translation error that is being rectified. Scobie, in a statement to Dutch media, emphasized that he is not to blame for the error, attributing it to the translation process.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the unfolding controversy.
[With information sourced from The Telegraph]
