Omid Scobie's book 'Endgame' derailed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's attempt to revamp their image

LONDON, ENGLAND: According to a royal expert, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were gradually but steadily revamping their public persona before Omid Scobie's 'Endgame' abruptly 'blew that all out of the water.'

The Sussexes have had a rollercoaster of a year in 2023, with their multimillion-dollar deal with Spotify being canceled and their relationship with the Royal Family not appearing to be getting better.

A racial controversy seemed to have rekindled and old wounds appeared to have reopened by the explosive new book 'Endgame' by royal author Omid Scobie, who earlier published an extremely positive book on the couple.

Omid Scobie's book 'Endgame' blew Sussexes' attempts 'out of the water'

In an interview with 'The Royal Beat' podcast, the Sun's royal editor, Matt Wilkinson, claimed that the book has completely undermined the Sussexes' attempts to shape the public's views.

He explained: "I thought they were doing really well keeping out of negative headlines...but Endgame blew that all out of the water and then all the negative headlines went back on to them. I think they are going in the right direction."

Wilkinson added: "They are trying to market Meghan as a California girl, and I think they just need to carry on down that kinder gentler route, not having rows with the Royal Family and just enjoying their life in California."

Though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were largely negatively portrayed in the book's media coverage, Wilkinson believed that despite this, "they are going in the right direction" with their silent reaction.

"They were on their way to doing that until the two names came out in Endgame and that blew things apart," as per The Royal Observer.

These revelations follow a week-long vacation in Costa Rica for Harry and Meghan and their two kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Diana, before Christmas.

Meanwhile, fellow expert and royal writer for Vanity Fair Katie Nicholl, contended that Harry and Meghan should prioritize their charitable endeavors over their business ventures.

Nicholl said: "Whatever you think about [Harry], he is a remarkable philanthropist, and he has an incredible and unique platform, and he uses that. And I think that is when he comes into his own and does his very best work."

"But when you weigh up what [the Sussexes] have done with Archewell against what they’ve done in terms of commercial projects, there's a real imbalance there," she continued.

"If they leveled it out a bit more so they were doing more of this philanthropic work, then I think you'll see Archewell do better, and I think you'll see [Harry and Meghan] do better in the popularity polls because that's what people want to see."

'Endgame' claimed two senior royals allegedly questioned Archie's potential complexion

The latest controversy occurred after the book's Dutch edition identified two royals who were accused of raising 'concerns' about Harry and Meghan's unborn son's potential dark skin tone during family conversations.

A prominent Hollywood journal named Harry and Meghan as two of the 'biggest losers' of the year, and the 'Endgame' controversy had no bearing on the nomination. Maybe the image change was not as successful as some observers first believed.

One of the most contentious aspects of Scobie's book was the alleged 'translation error' that was present in the Dutch translation.

The author asserts that he was not involved in any deliberate ploy of the edition, yet the translators contest the existence of any inaccuracy.

Two prominent members of the royal family who were said to have questioned Archie's possible complexion were the King and Kate, Princess of Wales.