Buckingham Palace has recently released a compelling video showcasing the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to the Wharf Studios in Barking and Dagenham, East London.
This move by the royal family seems to be a direct response to certain claims made by author Omid Scobie in his latest book, “Endgame.”
Scobie's book did not hold back in its criticisms of Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.
One of the controversial claims made by Scobie in his book was that a royal source had described Prince Edward as a significant germophobe.
According to the book, the Prince supposedly steers clear of physical contact with the general public.
However, the released video depicts the Duke of Edinburgh engaging in handshakes with members of the public during his visit to the studio, where he marked 10 years of filmmaking as a patron of the Production Guild.
The video footage serves as a subtle rebuttal to Scobie's assertions, indicating that Prince Edward is not as portrayed in the book.
If the claims of him being a germophobe were accurate, he would not have engaged in physical contact with those around him during the visit.
This visual evidence contradicts the narrative put forth by Scobie in “Endgame.”
Furthermore, Scobie's book also criticizes Prince Edward and Sophie for their perceived insensitivity following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
Shortly after the controversial interview, the couple was questioned about it by the Telegraph newspaper.
Sophie's response, reportedly dismissing knowledge of the interview by saying, “Oprah who?
What interview?”
was met with criticism from Scobie, who labeled her comments as casually bigoted.
Scobie's portrayal of Sophie's remarks as dismissive and potentially discriminatory has sparked controversy.
He suggests that her comments reflect a lack of awareness or even prejudice, particularly towards Oprah Winfrey, a prominent woman of color in the entertainment industry.
Scobie's critique extends to insinuating that Sophie's marriage to a non-person of color may also contribute to her alleged discriminatory attitudes.
In his scathing assessment of the royal family, Scobie's book “Endgame” has been met with strong opposition.
Australian media writer Sophie Ellsworth described the book as a “disaster,” emphasizing its negative portrayal of the royal family.
Ellsworth's remarks echo widespread skepticism regarding Scobie's motives and credibility, suggesting that his content should be approached with caution.
Overall, Buckingham Palace's release of the video featuring Prince Edward's interactions with the public serves as a poignant response to the claims made by Omid Scobie in his book.
The ongoing debate surrounding the royal family's actions and statements underscores the complexities of navigating public scrutiny and perception in the modern media landscape.
