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Omid Scobie’s latest book, “Endgame,” has reignited controversy surrounding the palace’s attempts to assist Meghan Markle during her transition into royal life. The book reveals that the palace offered the services of Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Black equerry, to help Markle “feel comfortable.” However, this gesture was met with disapproval from Markle and her friends, who saw it as a “sore thumb” due to the palace’s lack of diversity in senior roles.
This incident highlights a perceived disconnect between the palace and Markle’s needs. Previous reports indicate that Markle initially rejected the assistance of Lady Susan Hussey, the Queen’s longtime lady-in-waiting, prompting the palace to offer Lieutenant Colonel Twumasi-Ankrah as an alternative. However, as author Tina Brown notes in her book “The Palace Papers,” the lack of female staff of color in senior positions created a significant gap in understanding and support for Markle.
Furthermore, the unfortunate misprint in the Dutch edition of Scobie’s book, which falsely attributed racist remarks to Kate Middleton and King Charles III, has further fueled tensions. While Markle’s claims of unnamed individuals raising concerns about her son’s skin color in her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey remain unaddressed by the accused parties, reports suggest that Prince William and Charles are considering legal action following the misprint incident.
This controversy underscores the complex challenges of navigating cultural differences within the highly traditional and hierarchical royal institution. While the palace’s intention to assist Markle was likely genuine, the lack of understanding of her specific needs and the absence of diversity in senior roles contributed to a miscommunication and ultimately a missed opportunity for genuine support.
Moving forward, the palace will need to address its diversity shortcomings and implement strategies to better understand and support individuals from different backgrounds. Only then can it truly foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable and valued.
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