Unraveling the Mystery of Endgame's Controversy

The intrigue surrounding the book, Endgame, deepens as the author concedes that a preliminary version of his manuscript did indeed identify the King and Princess of Wales as the supposed individuals who commented on the complexion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's son. This admission follows the removal of the Dutch version of the book from bookstores due to a "translation error" that included the names of the concerned royals.

Author's Surprising Admission

The author initially disavowed any involvement in the inclusion of the names and maintained that he never submitted a version of the manuscript that identified them. However, he now implies that a preliminary draft of the book, which contained the names, was presented to the Dutch publisher without his consent or awareness. He asserts that his sole direct engagement was with the UK and US versions of the book, with the task of managing foreign language versions delegated to others.

Exploring the Backlash

In an op-ed for the i newspaper, the author addressed the backlash against his book and voiced his confusion about the Dutch version. He stated that he has been trying to determine what transpired and found that an early and unapproved text was given to the Dutch publisher for translation, under the assumption that it would be modified to mirror the final version of the book he submitted. He emphasized that the completed book he submitted was not the version released in the Netherlands.

Origins of the Controversy

The book's controversy originates from Meghan Markle's allegations in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she claimed that an undisclosed member of the Royal Family had expressed concerns about her son's skin color. The book delves into these allegations, suggesting that two family members participated in the conversation. While the English version of the book does not disclose their identities for legal reasons, the Dutch translation named the King and Princess of Wales.

Publicity Stunt or Genuine Mistake?

The author has faced criticism and allegations that the controversy was a publicity maneuver for his book. In his newspaper column, he refuted these allegations as insulting and called on the Royal Family to confront its historical ties to slavery and sincerely discuss its treatment of Meghan. He censured the family for ignoring these issues rather than taking substantial steps to modernize and reflect the diverse nation they serve.

Publisher's Response and Public Fallout

Buckingham Palace has not officially responded to the latest controversy surrounding the book. However, the publisher of the Dutch edition, Xander Uitgevers, has dismissed the author's explanation of events and stated that his portrayal of the events is factually inaccurate. The publisher has not offered any additional details about the book's content.

The controversy resulting from the inclusion of the names in the Dutch version has led to the book being removed from sale. Revised versions of the book have been published with minor alterations and concealed sources. Despite the controversy, Endgame has not achieved significant sales, with fewer than 6,500 copies sold in Britain within the first five days of its release.

A Lingering Controversy

It is now clear that an early draft of the book did include the names of the King and Princess of Wales as the alleged individuals who made remarks about Prince Archie's skin color. While the author initially denied any responsibility, he now suggests that the inclusion of the names resulted from an early and unapproved text being provided to the Dutch publisher without his knowledge. The controversy surrounding the book and the allegations of racism within the Royal Family continue to spark considerable public attention and debate.