Veteran Royal reporter Phil Dampier expressed skepticism, finding it hard to believe that a translation problem caused this error. Meanwhile, an expert named Michael Cole suggested that it might have been a deliberate publicity stunt to boost book sales. Scobie issued a statement yesterday, acknowledging the error in the Dutch version and stating that it was being corrected. However, Netherlands Publishers Xander Rudas referred to it as simply an error in the Dutch Edition, without specifically mentioning a translation issue. This discrepancy in explanations has left some commentators unconvinced.
Dampier emphasized the need to approach everything Scobie says with caution, noting that Scobie has not always been truthful in the past. He also pointed out that Scobie had admitted to lying about his age. Dampier suggested that this controversy may be part of a publicity strategy but expressed concern about its unfair impact on members of the royal family.
Recent findings suggest that Scobie was responsible for contracting out the translation of his book, rather than the publisher. He sold World English rights for the book, meaning that the responsibility for foreign translations lies with him. This has raised questions about the translation process, as it appears that Scobie's agent sent the manuscript to the Dutch translator, not the publisher. Despite the controversy surrounding the book, it is expected to fade into obscurity by the time Catherine's Christmas concert begins.
