King Charles' olive branch to Meghan Markle changed Spare and Netflix series

28 November 2023 , 10:51

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Meghan Markle talking to Harry's father Charles in March 2019 (Image: PA)

An olive branch King Charles offered Meghan Markle caused a change in the Sussexes' Netflix series as well as Prince Harry's book 'Spare', a royal author has claimed.

Omid Scobie, the author of Harry and Meghan's biography 'Finding Freedom', wrote in his latest book 'Endgame' that the Royal Family has yet to fully learn how to become more "initiative-taking" when confronted by race-related allegations. The writer mentioned the famous Oprah interview in which Harry and Meghan shocked the American TV presenter by saying there had been "concerns and conversations" among royals about their first son Archie's skin colour, before he was born.

According to Mr Scobie, the issue might have been discussed between King Charles and Meghan "over letter" in the spring of 2021 - which is the reason the incident was not repeated in the Sussexes' Netflix series or in 'Spare'. However, the author claimed the Firm was keen to wait until the claims were aired in the UK before deciding how to act.

Harry and Meghan said there had been 'concerns' within the Royal Family about Archie's skin colour (PA)

The author said a palace aide told him that the Firm wanted to hear what the nation thought first - and if the Sussexes received minimal sympathy from the British public, they would also get minimal sympathy from the institution. Mr Scobie wrote: "The Firm has yet to fully learn how to become more initiative-taking when faced with race-related allegations, particularly afterparty and Meghan left Oprah Winfrey speechless over certain family members’ “concerns and conversations” about Archie’s skin color.

"The issue may have later been briefly discussed between Meghan and Charles over letter (and this is why the incidents were not repeated in the Sussexes’ 2022 Netflix series or in Spare), but the Palace’s initial response was not a swift one - they would instead wait until the interview’s U.K. broadcast aired the following day before planning anything. The family, a Palace aide told me, was keen to hear what the nation thought and see which way the wind was blowing in the court of public opinion. If the Sussexes - overall popularity in the country had been on a downward trajectory since they stepped away from their roles - received minimal sympathy from the British public, they would get minimal from the institution, too."

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In the latest book, Mr Scobie said Meghan named two members of the Royal Household in private letters she wrote to King Charles. However, the names of those involved have not been revealed in Endgame. Omid claimed that he knows the names but "laws in the United Kingdom prevent me from reporting who they were."

Meghan was reportedly described as an 'outsider' by Prince William (PA)

According to Endgame, Harry's brother Prince William believed "outsider" Meghan Markle was too "opinionated" for the Royal Family. It is claimed Harry and William's rivalry heightened when the Duke of Sussex introduced Meghan.

The Prince of Wales is said to have expressed "concern" that Harry was "moving too fast" with someone who lived a completely different life to them. According to the book, Meghan appeared to be an "outsider" to William given their different upbringings.

The former actress' American lifestyle clashed with the life he was used to and he was reportedly put off by Harry's unwillingness to consider the risks that their non-traditional relationship could pose to the establishment. In response, Harry accused his brother of not helping to make Meghan feel welcome.

Chiara Fiorillo