Omid Scobie’s agent ‘sent draft manuscript naming Royal racists as King Charles, Princess Catherine’

United Talent Agency sent an early, draft version to the Dutch publisher which contained the names of Charles and Catherine, and which was translated instead of the final copy.

An early version of ‘Endgame’ named Princess Catherine and Prince Charles as the royal racists. Picture: Getty Images.

The agent of the author Omid Scobie sent his book’s Dutch publisher a final version weeks before publication which did not name the two royals at the centre of a race row.

However, United Talent Agency (UTA) had earlier sent a draft version to the Dutch publisher Xander Uitgevers which did contain the names, a source told The Times. It is understood that the translator interpreted an earlier version of the manuscript, rather than the final approved text.

Meghan with Archie in the Netflix docuseries. Picture: Netflix

Thousands of Dutch copies of Endgame were pulled from the Netherlands and Belgium last week after they named King Charles and the Princess of Wales as the senior royals who were said to have made remarks speculating about the skin colour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s unborn child. The claim arose in an interview given by the Sussexes to Oprah Winfrey in 2021. After the broadcast, Prince Harry denied that he and his wife had accused a member of the royal family of racism.

Omid Scobie named the royals in an early draft of his book.

King Charles has spoken about his "beloved daughter-in-law" Princess Catherine. Picture: Supplied

Translating can be a long process and it is common for agents to send early versions to foreign publishers to get it under way. It is understood UTA received a signed-off manuscript from the British publisher HarperCollins and sent that to its foreign counterparts.

The King will consult senior advisers this week on the family’s next step, with “all options”, including legal action, to be considered.

Xander initially said the names were revealed in a “translation” mix-up but later said that an “error” led to the printing. The book has the title Eindstrijd (Final Battle) in the Netherlands.

Anke Roelen, managing director of Xander Uitgevers, said: “Xander … temporarily removed the book from sale, due to an error that occurred in the Dutch edition.” That edition credits two translators. One of them, Saskia Peeters, said last week that the names were in the manuscript that she was sent. “I translate what is in front of me … I did not add them,” she told MailOnline. The other translator, Nellie Keukelaar, did not comment.

Scobie, 42, said last week that he did not include the names when he gave the manuscript to his publisher.

The Times