Debate breaks out on GMB as a journalist says royal should discuss ‘unconscious bias’ amid Omid Scobie race row – but historian says playing the blame game is ‘unhelpful’
Good Morning Britain was rocked by debate today when a journalist and a historian were at odds over allegations of race scandals against Omid Scobie.
Broadcaster Ateh Jewel said the monarchy must have an “open and meaningful debate” about race, while historian Tessa Dunlop said It’s “no use” playing the blame game.
The debate comes after Omid Scobie reignited the royal race controversy with his book Endgame following a Dutch-language publication that said two members of the royal family had discussed the skin tone of Harry and Meghan’s son Archie before he was born.
“I am for the monarchy, I believe there is a place and as the first family of the country they have a responsibility to talk about it, as a black woman and mother of mixed children I really believe they have a responsibility to talk about it.
“I don’t believe in cancel culture, but I do believe in accountability and leading the conversation,” Ateh said.
Broadcaster and journalist Ateh Jewel (right) said “the monarchy has a responsibility to have open and meaningful debate” and historian Tessa Dunlop (left) says there is “no use” in playing the blame game
“Today’s racism and unconscious bias are so subtle that you don’t have to throw around the N-word and have a burning cross in your garden to have racism.
“It’s much more secretive and it’s something I’ve dealt with all my life and my children’s, and I think the monarchy has a responsibility to have an open and meaningful discussion about this issue.”
And Tessa thought the answer was to immerse the royal family in more diverse communities that “are not representative of the entitled white class.”
“It’s clear there was awkwardness, perhaps unconscious bias, with Meghan, we need to help and insist that our royal family be more interesting and our staff more diverse,” she said.
“For example, the education of their children, what schools they will go to, whether they are going to interact meaningfully with people on a daily basis who do not represent the empowered white class.
“Not only are they part of Britain, the head of state here in Britain and the Commonwealth, where the majority are people of colour, so it’s extremely important, but we don’t do them a good service by saying it was her, it was him, it’s no use, I feel.’
The debate began after King Charles and the Princess of Wales were named in the Dutch version of the book as members of the royal family who allegedly raised “concerns” about Prince Archie’s skin color.
Although Tessa thought the answer would be to immerse the royal family in more diverse communities that “don’t represent the entitled white class.”
Good Morning Britain hosted a passionate debate today asking whether the royals would respond to allegations of race scandals.
GMB viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with their own views, which proved controversial.
GMB viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with their own views, which proved controversial.
One person said: “It was a valid question…every family wonders about the new baby, will he have a big head like daddy, big ears like mommy, dark skin and so on, nothing new.”
Another wrote: “No. In any case, this is not a racist question, more of a curiosity. It was completely normal.”
Someone else wrote: “People always forget the key words Harry and Meghan said when this happens!” This word is CARE.
In a tense BBC interview with Victoria Derbyshire, Scobie said: “It’s not for me to apologize because I still want to know what happened.”
“Members of the royal family have expressed concern about how dark Archie will be. It is not normal”. Whether it was H&M’s story or someone else’s, raising concerns is something in itself.”
And a fourth wrote: “There’s nothing normal about asking what color your unborn baby’s skin will be.”
“Typical questions are about eye color or what the baby will look like, not about the pigmentation of their skin.
“Was there a conversation about the skin color of George, Charlotte and Louis before they were born?”
Omid Scobie denied naming two members of the royal family in the Dutch version of Endgame and also said moving more copies of his book was not a “stunt”.
The Prince and Princess of Wales carried on as usual while attending the 2023 Royal Variety Performance.
King Charles also brushed off the racism row during his visit to Dubai for the Cop28 summit. Here he talks to representatives from yesterday’s Commonwealth and Nature reception.
The alleged racist comments were made over “concerns” about the color of Prince Archie’s skin. Pictured: Harry and Meghan in Sydney in 2018.
Mr Scobie, 42, said he was “hurt” by the suggestion and dismissed it as a conspiracy theory from people who want to believe he is “in cahoots” with Meghan Markle, saying: “That couldn’t be further from the truth ” ‘.
He also refused to apologize for the racism scandal, saying: “I’m just as upset as everyone else. There were no titles in the book I wrote, in the book I edited, in the book I signed.”
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC Two’s Newsnight, Mr Scobie was asked to say “hand on heart” that the fuss over the Dutch translation was not a PR stunt. He raised his hands, shook his head and replied: “For my life, for the life of my family.” Ms Derbyshire said: “You don’t have to go that far, it’s okay.”