11 December 2023 , 09:35
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are "keen to be distanced" from Omid Scobie following the release of his controversial book, according to one royal expert.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were rumoured to be hoping for a reconciliation with the Royal Family, but commentator Duncan Larcombe believes the publication of Endgame has caused a "set back". The book reignited the royal race row after a Dutch translation named King Charles and the Princess of Wales as the two who allegedly raised "concerns" about the skin colour of Meghan and Harry's then-unborn son.
Duncan said there have been signs of "thawing" in the frosty relations between the Sussexes and the Royal Family and pointed to a subtle gesture Meghan made in support of Charles. However, he admitted Endgame has caused an issue.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are 'distancing' themselves from the book (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Omid Scobie caused a lot of controversy with Endgame (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Meghan was seen smiling as she went for a walk in Santa Barbara, California, last week. During the outing, Meghan dressed down wearing a black jumper and leggings. She accessorised her look with a Bentley & Skinner diamond tennis bracelet which was gifted to her by Charles.
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The luxury item, which worth around £4,900, was first worn by Meghan the evening before her wedding to Prince Harry. The bracelet was made by royal warrant holders Bentley & Skinner and features 92 diamonds.
The Duchess of Sussex was last seen wearing the bracelet in public during a hike back in May. Speaking to new magazine, Duncan said: "Wearing the bracelet wasn't an oversight. If someone gives you a present and you wear it publicly, it's a little gesture - and in the world of the royals, little gestures often take on real significance."
The Sussexes were believed to be hoping for a Royal Family reunion (Getty Images)He said it would have been "carefully thought through" for Meghan to wear the bracelet. He added: "This new book has probably set things right back, and I think that's why Harry and Meghan are so keen to be distanced from it."
Duncan suggested there is the potential for Meghan and Harry to still reunite with the Royal Family, but admitted "as things stand at the moment, I'd say it's pretty unthinkable". He said there haven't been "any signs at all" of all being forgiven.
Author Omid recently performed a U-turn and admitted he did name the alleged "royal racists" in an "early" version of his book. The writer said last week that "uncleared text" was provided to a Dutch publisher with plans that a translation "would be updated to reflect the final version of the book".
Dutch publisher Xander Uitgevers said an "error" had occurred which saw Charles and Kate named. Omid went on to repeatedly deny ever having named the royals.
Harry and Meghan first made the claims in an interview with Oprah Winfrey (Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese v)He told the BBC: "The book I wrote, the book I edited, the book I signed off on, did not have names in it." But writing for the i online, he said: "The only publisher I worked directly with was the one covering the US and UK.
"Unbeknownst to me at the time, early and uncleared text was provided to the Dutch publisher for them to start on translation, with the understanding their translation would be updated to reflect the final version of the book I officially submitted." He said versions in other countries "perfectly replicated" the finished work, adding: "The finished book I submitted was not the version published in the Netherlands."
The Royal Family were said to be "united in outrage" after the King and Princess of Wales were dragged into the royal race row. The Sussexes originally made the allegations during a chat with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, but chose not to name the people involved.
When the Sussexes 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.
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