Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were left ‘confused and upset’ after not hearing from Prince William and Kate Middleton for two years following their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, according to a new book by Omid Scobie.
The royal author, whose new book Endgame comes out at midnight tonight, said the two couples had not spoke since the Sussexes’ controversial comments about the royal family’s treatment of Meghan.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sparked the race row during their interview with Oprah in March 2021 by alleging that a member of the royal family, whom they did not name, had commented on their son Archie’s skin colour.
In the book, Mr Scobie claims the two royals who commented on Archie’s skin colour have been revealed in letters between Megan Markle and King Charles.
Mr Scobie also says that within these letters, King Charles encouraged Meghan to discuss her feelings with the Princess of Wales. However, in the aftermath of the interview, the reporter says the two brothers and their wives have yet to speak.
The royal author, whose new book Endgame comes out at midnight tonight, said the two couples had not spoke since the Sussexes’ controversial comments about the royal family’s treatment of Meghan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sparked the race row during their interview with Oprah in March 2021 by alleging that a member of the royal family, whom they did not name, had commented on their son Archie’s skin colour
Mr Scobie also says that within these letters, King Charles encouraged Meghan to discuss her feelings with the Princess of Wales
The only comment made in public by Prince Willian following the interview was his defense of the family, saying: ‘We are very much not a racist family.’
Mr Scobie also says a palace source told him the Waleses pushed for a ‘recollections may vary’ style clause to be added to Buckingham Palace’s public response to the interview, with Kate said to be ‘really passionate about defending the family’.
The royal reporter belives this response suggests Prince William and Kate may not have agreed with the Sussexes’ words.
A source close to Harry and Megan also told Mr Scobie that the silence has ’caused a lot of confusion and upset’.
The writer claims elsewhere in the book that a source told him Prince William accused Harry of ‘defecting’ to the US, widening the already growing rift between the pair.
The future king considers his brother to be an ‘outsider’, Mr Scobie writes, and wanted to distance himself from the Duke of Sussex ever since his marriage to Meghan – who he ‘disliked from the start’.
According to the author, William and Kate have now become a ‘committed and driven team’, which is focused on their roles in the family.
Mr Scobie said in the book: ‘Though they were remarkably close when they grew up, Harry’s decision to “defect” to America (William’s choice of word, according to a source, not mine) widened an already growing rift between the pair.
‘Disappointed in Harry’s life decisions and rooted in his ignited, newfound dedication to the Crown, William now considers his brother an outsider, especially since the release of Harry’s memoir.’
Royal author Omid Scobie gave an interview broadcast on ABC’s Good Morning America today
The future king considers his brother to be an ‘outsider’, Mr Scobie writes, and wanted to distance himself from the Duke of Sussex ever since his marriage to Meghan – who he ‘disliked from the start’
A source close to Harry and Megan also told Mr Scobie that the silence has ’caused a lot of confusion and upset
Mr Scobie also says a palace source told him the Waleses pushed for a ‘recollections may vary’ style clause to be added to Buckingham Palace’s public response to the interview, with Kate said to be ‘really passionate about defending the family
Kate and Meghan chatting together at Wimbledon in 2019
The book suggests Harry could be ready for reconciliation with his family, with the prince reported to have said: ‘I’m ready to forget. Get an apology or explanation? At this point, who cares, right?’
The claim emerged last week in Paris Match.
Earlier this month it was suggested there was a thawing of relations after sources close to the prince leaked to chosen media that he had a warm conversation with his father when he rang to wish him a happy 75th birthday.
However, the publication of Endgame is unlikely to do anything to bolster hopes that Harry may one day be reconciled with his family.
This is doubly the case given Mr Scobie will make a series of new personal attacks on senior royals including Charles, William and Kate.
Mr Scobie insists he is not friends with the Sussexes, nor was he in direct contact with them over the book, and the Sussexes have denied they are ‘affiliated’ with it.
But there is a certain level of detail that, if true, could only have come from sources who are extremely close to the couple.