The highly anticipated book “Endgame,” a tell-all account of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the British royal family, has been temporarily pulled from Dutch shelves following an error in the Dutch translation that inadvertently revealed the identity of a royal allegedly involved in making racist remarks about their son, Archie.
The controversial passage in the Dutch version of the book, written by royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, alluded to a conversation between a senior royal and a family member about the potential skin color of Archie, who was not yet born at the time. The unnamed royal reportedly expressed concerns about whether Archie would be “too brown.”
While the original English version of the book did not identify the royal in question, the Dutch translation mistakenly included a specific name, leading to widespread speculation and media frenzy. The publishers, Xander Uitgevers, quickly took action to rectify the error and prevent further embarrassment to the royal family.
“We regret the error in the Dutch translation of ‘Endgame’,” the publishers stated in a release. “We have taken the decision to temporarily withdraw the book from sale while we work to correct the mistake. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The incident sparked a debate about the importance of accuracy and sensitivity in reporting on the royal family, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like race. Some commentators criticized the publishers for not taking greater care in the translation process, while others expressed concern about the potential impact of the leak on the royal family’s reputation.
The inadvertent revelation of the royal’s identity has also raised questions about the ethics of using anonymous sources in journalism. While anonymous sources can be valuable in providing information that would otherwise remain hidden, it is crucial to ensure that their identities are protected and that their statements are accurate and verifiable.
The “Endgame” incident serves as a reminder of the importance of careful and responsible reporting, especially when dealing with sensitive topics. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on anonymous sources without proper vetting and verification.
As the investigation into the source of the leak continues, the royal family is likely to face renewed scrutiny and speculation about the identity of the individual involved in the alleged racist remarks. The incident has also reignited discussions about race and privilege within the institution of the monarchy.
The temporary removal of “Endgame” from Dutch shelves is a significant step in addressing the error and preventing further harm. However, the incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and sensitivity when reporting on sensitive issues, particularly those that could potentially damage the reputation of individuals or institutions.