Retracted book about royals: author Scobie denies responsibility. Golden Mole, presumed extinct, rediscovered after 87 years

The author of the Dutch book ‘Endgame’ about the British royal family, Omid Scobie, denies responsibility for appointing two members of the royal family in connection with allegations. ‘I never submitted a book with their names in it’ Scobie told the British broadcaster ITV on Thursday.

Prince Harry, 39, and his wife, Duchess Meghan, 42, accused members of the royal family of speculating about the skin color of their unborn children after leaving the royal inner circle. Harry stressed that, contrary to some reports, these were not accusations of racism, but rather of “unconscious bias”. Nevertheless, the criticism caused a stir and prompted Harry’s brother Prince William, 41, to angrily declare that his family was “not racist at all.”

There has been speculation ever since as to who exactly the accusations were aimed at. However, in the Dutch version of the Scobie book, two names were explicitly mentioned. The translation was subsequently withdrawn.

Author Scobie couldn’t explain what exactly happened. He was “just as frustrated as everyone else.” The names were known not only to him, but also to other journalists, he emphasized.

Scobie also denied allegations that he was Harry and Meghan’s ‘mouthpiece’. ‘I’m not her friend’ he said. He never met Meghan privately for interviews and never exchanged information with her. (saw/sda/dpa)