All options 'still on the table' as King prepares for urgent talks with William

Charles fears book fallout

- Paul Jeeves

THE King is to hold talks with Prince William on how best to tackle the royal racism row that has followed the publication of Omid Scobie's book Endgame.

Top aides will look at how to counter fall-out from the naming of two royals alleged to have commented on the potential skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan's first child Prince Archie, now four.

Mouthpiece

Palace sources say all options remain "on the table", including launching legal action against Scobie, who has previously been branded "Meghan's mouthpiece".

But officials insist any decision must be carefully considered.

The Daily Express has chosen not to reveal the royals named in an early Dutch edition of the book when it was released last week.

The King, back from the COP28 summit in Dubai, is understood to take "very seriously" public concerns surrounding the claims, and to fear the damage they could do to the royal brand worldwide.

But senior aides say the working royals will continue their duties in a "business as usual" fashion, and be seen to "rise above" the row.

The King and Queen, photographed at Sandringham yesterday, will return to London midweek for official engagements including a ceremony at Buckingham Palace and a charity carol concert at Westminster Abbey. A source close to Buckingham Palace told the Sunday Telegraph: "Discussions [have been] had and we'll continue those discussions this week, but not in a crisis talks man[will ner... Decisions be] made with care and time and professionalism rather than rushed over a weekend."