“Endgame” Book Pulled from Dutch Shelves After 'Error' Names Royal Behind Archie Skin Color Comment
"Having only written and edited the English version of Endgame, I can only comment on that manuscript," author Omid Scobie says in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Sept. 2023Royal author Omid Scobie's new book Endgame is being temporarily pulled from shelves in the Netherlands.
The Dutch translation of the book, which was released Tuesday and chronicles the breakdown of the royal family and the weakening of the modern monarchy, reportedly names the members of the family involved in a conversation that included a controversial comment about the skin color of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's child before he was born.
It's unclear if the Dutch translation is incorrect or if the translation has been based on an earlier draft. (The book's English version does not name the family members.)
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Scobie says, "Having only written and edited the English version of Endgame, I can only comment on that manuscript — which does not name the two individuals who took part in the conversation. I’m happy to hear that the error in the translation of the Dutch edition is being fixed."
The Dutch publishers call it an "error" and say in a statement to PEOPLE, "The rectified edition of Eindstrijd by Omid Scobie will be in bookstores on Friday 8 December. Xander Uitgevers temporarily removed the book from sale, due to an error that occurred in the Dutch edition."
Buckingham Palace had no comment.
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The British royal family in July 2018Related: Prince Harry ‘Completely by Himself’ amid Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Exclusive Book Excerpt
Prince Harry 39, and Meghan, 42, are parents to their 4-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet.
In the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said there were "concerns and conversations about how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born." When Oprah asked who made that comment, Meghan declined to answer, saying the revelation would be too damaging.
Prince Harry added, "That conversation I'm never going to share. It was awkward. I was a bit shocked."
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The following day, Oprah clarified that Harry's grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, were not the ones to make the comments.
"He did not share the identity with me," Oprah said. "But he wanted to make sure that I knew, and if I had an opportunity to share it, that it was not his grandmother, nor his grandfather that were part of those conversations. ... He did not tell me who were a part of those conversations. As you could see I tried to get that answer, on-camera and off."
Related: Meghan Markle 'Doesn't Want Anything to Do' with the Royals (Exclusive)
Promoting his book Spare in an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby that aired in January, Prince Harry denied accusing his family of racism.
The Duke of Sussex said he wouldn't describe the incident as racist, "not having lived within that family."
"The difference between racism and unconscious bias...the two things are different," Harry continued.
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