A New Book Claims That It Was Prince Charles Who Asked About Baby Archie’s Skin Tone
It’s been a question ever since Harry and Meghan’s big interview with Oprah.
![Prince Charles Meghan Markle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HcXrJELDijLVSSJsiW5ntN-415-80.jpg)
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down with Oprah earlier this year to discuss life since leaving their royal duties behind, one of the biggest bombshells they dropped was that some unnamed members of the royal family had directed racist comments in their direction. In particular, that a member of the royal family asked what skin tone Harry and Meghan’s future children might have.
While they refused to name names then—though it’s been speculated that Prince Harry’s forthcoming memoir might spill the tea—a new book quotes a source who says that it was Prince Charles who raised the offensive question.
According to Page Six, in journalist Christopher Andersen’s new book, Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan, which hits shelves Tuesday, a “well-placed source” in the royal family set the scene for how Prince Charles broached the question that ended up indirectly leading to Meghan and Harry’s departure for the States.
Here’s how the book claimed it happened: The morning of November 17, 2017—the day Harry and Meghan announced their engagement—Prince Charles and Camilla were discussing the couple when Charles reportedly asked, “I wonder what the children will look like?” The book says the insider say Camilla look “somewhat taken aback” when she responded, “Well, absolutely gorgeous, I’m certain.” Then, reportedly “lowering his voice,” per Page Six, Prince Charles clarified: “I mean, what do you think the children’s complexion might be?”
Prince Charles, through a spokesperson, has flat-out denied the book’s depiction of the reported events, calling it “fiction and not worth further comment.” And for any royal watchers, there are definitely some red flags that may go up as you read the account: Mainly, what kind of source would be close enough in proximity that they could hear Prince Charles lowering his voice to talk to his wife, but still be willing to go public with such incendiary information? Second, in the Oprah interview, Prince Harry claimed that a royal asked him personally about any future children’s skin tone.
However, Prince Harry did clarify after the Oprah interview that it was neither the Queen nor Prince Philip who asked him, which leaves only a few senior royals that it could have been. Further, Omid Scobie, co-author of the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle book Finding Freedom—which, it was recently revealed, the couple cooperated on—has said that there were actually numerous conversations, of varying degrees of terribly racist, that affected the couple greatly. So if the book’s version of events is confirmed, it could also be just one of the conversations in question.
Again, this is all unconfirmed. But Prince Harry’s thought-to-be-explosive memoir, which comes out sometime next year, may shine a more direct light on the scandal.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. We're known for our award-winning features, thoughtful essays and op-eds, deep commitment to sustainable fashion, and buzzy interviews and reviews. Reaching millions of women every month, MarieClaire.com is an internationally-recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
-
Lady Gaga Performs in Full Moulin Rouge Glam—and Flamingo Feathers
The pop star is bringing her glamorous residency feathers to her highly-anticipated Paris performance.
By India Roby Published
-
Why Did Prince William Remove Queen Camilla's Sister From His Payroll?
She was hired by King Charles in 2005.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Céline Dion Channels Her Inner Track Star at the Olympics
Logomania is back.
By Julia Gray Published
-
Meghan Markle "Fears" Being "Heckled" If She Returns to U.K.
"The last thing she needs is the stress of going back."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry on Why He Won't Bring Meghan Markle Back to the U.K.: "It's Still Dangerous"
He fears for his family's safety.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Critics Claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tried to "Upstage" Prince George
"He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Put “Her Own Neck On the Line” to Support Embattled Prince Harry at the ESPYs Earlier This Month
“She chose to be there for her husband.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle “Really Enjoyed Being Back In Front of the Camera” While Filming Her Forthcoming Netflix Cookery Show
“She was totally in her element.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
It’s Not In King Charles’ Nature to Upstage Daughter-in-Law Meghan Markle and Her Lifestyle Brand American Riviera Orchard with Competing Retail Products, Royal Commentator Says
Lest we forget the so-called “royal jam rivalries” earlier this year…
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Meghan Markle “Feels Very Much Under Siege” As She Prepares to Launch Her Lifestyle Brand American Riviera Orchard, Royal Author Says
“She thinks that anything and everything she does will be unfairly criticized.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published