King Charles III will be 100 miles away on the day of Kate Middleton's major winter project as the pair are swept up in a media storm over Meghan Markle's race allegations.
Charles was named in the Dutch-language version of new royal book Endgame, released on Tuesday, November 28, as the royal who commented on the then-unborn Prince Archie's skin tone; the Princess of Wales was said to have been present at the time. The names have not been officially confirmed, but were included in the Dutch-language version of Endgame in error, the book's publisher said, and copies were pulled from shelves.
Since the revelation, Charles and Kate have been engulfed in a frenzy of news stories, although the British press has largely been supportive of the royals while condemning author Omid Scobie.
The saga will almost certainly be the backdrop to Kate's Together at Christmas Carol Service, at Westminster Abbey, in London, on Friday. The press release said that "other Members of the Royal Family" will be present, sparking a headline in the U.K. newspaper Daily Mirror about family unity.
However, hours later, Buckingham Palace announced that the king has an engagement the same day at his Highgrove Estate, in Gloucestershire, England, more than 100 miles away.
A Kensington Palace press release read: "Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, and other Members of the Royal Family will attend the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday 8th December.
"Spearheaded by The Princess, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year," the press release added.
On the same day, the king will attend what the palace described as a "Celebration of Craft" Reception, hosted by his charity The King's Foundation at his Highgrove estate.
Meghan told Oprah Winfrey in March 2021: "So we have in tandem the conversation of 'He won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title' and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born."
In January 2023, Harry said that Meghan did not intend to accuse the royals of racism but rather unconscious bias. The prince introduced the notion it may have been curiosity as opposed rather than concern.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
