And reportedly the wrong version was translated…
It can hardly have escaped your attention that the brand new book Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival by royalty journalist Omid Scobie has been released. It was speculated and written about for a long time, and now that it has been released it is still widely discussed.
‘Small mistake
The Dutch version of the book Endgame received a lot of publicity last week, because there was a special ‘error’ in the Dutch translation of Omid Scobie’s book. And not just a small mistake: the Dutch translation mentioned by name exactly which royal asked questions about Archie’s skin color.
Endgame
In the book, Omid Scobie writes about the current state of The Firm, claiming that there is some sort of crisis among the Windsors. Naturally, the author also addresses the whole issue surrounding the interview with Oprah Winfrey, in which it emerged that one person at the court had asked questions about the skin color of little Archie. The Sussexes themselves refused to name names at the time – but they strongly denied that it was Queen Elizabeth or Prince Philip.
This detail also remains hidden in the English version of the book. But somehow the Dutch translation deviates considerably from the original. A tweet from royalty reporter Rick Evers, who was allowed to read a press copy of the book, shows exactly who had asked questions about Archie’s skin color. On page 128 of the book it is clearly written: “But in those private letters an identity was revealed and confirmed: Charles.” Oh dear!
Two versions
Now the big question is of course: how did this happen? The Dutch publishing house Xander Uitgevers has reportedly received two versions of the book Endgame from writer Scobie’s agent. The British newspaper The Times reported this last Monday. According to The Times, United Talent Agency has sent two different versions to the publisher in the Netherlands. A final version in which the names of the members of the British royal family are not mentioned and a draft version in which these names are mentioned. The British newspaper writes that the translator of the book translated the draft version into Dutch instead of the text that has been approved, or the final version.
Translation error
Writer Omid Scobie has previously responded in RTL Boulevard and says he has nothing to do with the revelation. “The book is in several languages and unfortunately I do not speak Dutch. But if there are translation errors, the publisher will correct them. I wrote the English version, and there is not a single version of mine that mentions any names,” the author said.
Scobie reportedly had to remove the name from the British version because legal rules would prevent him from making this revelation. This would therefore explain why he originally included this passage in the English version, but subsequently deleted it.
Xander Uitgevers has stated that it does not wish to respond to The Times’ reporting. The new, modified copies are expected in stores this week.
Source: RTL Boulevard, Glamial archive | Image: NL Image
