Royal updates — Brits slam ‘nasty’ Omid Scobie & hail ‘tough’ This Morning star as royals at centre of ‘racism’ named
CONTROVERSIAL author Omid Scobie appeared on ITV's This Morning yesterday as he denied involvement in royal family members at the centre of a ‘racism’ storm being named.
Copies of Omid Scobie’s new book were urgently pulled from the shelves after the Dutch translation “accidentally named” a member of the Royal Family implying they are racist.
Opinions were mixed as Brits reacted to the explosive This Morning interview, with many hailing the "tough" questions posed by Craige Doyle.
Others on X branded Omid's book "nasty" and accused him of attempting to "bring down" the Royal Family, despite his claim he supports the Firm in yesterday's interview.
It appears the book, titled Endgame, named a Royal in error and was not naming the person Meghan Markle claimed was the racist.
This all comes after Prince Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, where the Duchess sparked a race row by alleging an unnamed member of the Royal Family spoke about their son's skin colour.
Follow our live blog below for the latest royal news and updates...
What does Omid Scobie do for a living?
Scobie became a journalist and writer after completing his studies in Journalism at the London College of Communication
He has worked at publications like Heat magazine and US Weekly and has also been royal editor-at-large at Harper's Bazaar.
Scobie has been a royal contributor at ABC News and has often appeared on Good Morning America, as well as hosting the network's royal podcast the HeirPod.
As an author he is best known for co-writing Finding Freedom: Harry And Meghan And The Making Of A Modern Royal Family - a biography by Scobie and Carolyn Durand that chronicled the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from their initial romance to their bombshell decision to leave the Royal Family.
The book was published in August 2020 by HarperCollins, sold more than 31,000 copies in five days and was number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list.
Finding Freedom claims to lay bare many private details about the Sussexes and their time as working royals, from the beginning of Harry and Prince William's alleged feud, to Meghan's struggle to adapt to her new life.
A 2022 High Court case was told that the Sussexes did brief favourable stories to Scobie for the book via an aide, despite their claims that they did not help him.
Dutch translator claims names WERE in Endgame manuscript
A translator who worked on the Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s book Endgame has claimed the names of two royals were included in the manuscript.
The Dutch version of his explosive book implicates two royals in alleged conversations about Archie’s skin colour.
But translator Saskia Peeters claims the manuscript she received had the names of the royals in “black and white”.
Speaking from her home in Arnhem, Holland, she told : “I did not add them.”
Does Omid Scobie know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?
Scobie, who has been dubbed “Meghan’s Cheerleader” reportedly first met the Duchess of Sussex at Toronto Fashion Week in 2015, before she was dating Harry — at least not publicly.
He said for this reason he did not realise the significance of the encounter.
Scobie later wrote a now famous account of the Sussexes’ final engagement as working royals in 2020 when Meghan offered him “a big farewell hug” beneath the “malachite candelabras” at Buckingham Palace.
He was one of only three journalists invited.
Piers Morgan hits back at Omid Scobie
Omid Scobie claimed Piers Morgan “wasn’t credible” saying “he says a lot of things about me that’s not true”.
But Piers immediately hit back on Twitter, calling Scobie a “liar”.
In a second Tweet, he wrote: “Comical to watch lying Sussex lickspittle Scobie say he’s never written a draft of his book naming the two supposed royal ‘racists’.
“How else did the Dutch version get printed with those explosive details?”
Omid ‘frustrated but not upset’
Omid Scobie revealed he was “frustrated but not upset” that two Royal Family members were named in connection to alleged comments about Archie’s skin colour in the Dutch version of his book.
Scobie told This Morning: “I had never submitted a book that had their names in it.
“I’m frustrated but not upset about it.”
Omid Scobie denies involvement in Dutch release of bombshell book Endgame
Omid Scobie today denied he had any involvement in the Dutch translation of his book Endgame.
Scobie told This Morning: “I wrote and edited the English version of the book with one publisher, that then gets licensed to other publishers.
“I obviously can’t speak Italian, German, French, Dutch or any of the other languages that it’s come out.
“I’m as frustrated as everyone else.”
He added: “I had never submitted a book that had their names in it. I can only talk about my version.
“I’m frustrated but I wouldn’t say I’m upset about it.”
What is Meghan Markle’s net worth in 2023?
It is thought that Meghan Markle is worth a similar amount to her husband.
The pair are said to share their money and often take on projects together.
Before she tied the knot with Harry, Meghan was worth an estimated £3.5million, as a result of her role in American drama Suits.
She earned a reported £500,000 pay-check for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama.
Following her marriage to a royal, she now has a 91-piece jewellery collection worth £600,000.
Where did Omid Scobie grow up?
Scobie was born in Wales but his family later relocated to Oxford.
He studied at the prestigious fee-paying Magdalen College School, which was founded in 1480.
The school's famous alumni include Skyfall director Sam Mendes, sports presenter Jim Rosenthal, and Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey.
Scobie went on to study at state sixth form Cherwell School, which also boasts famous former students like rower Sholto Carnegie and musician Mark Crozer.
Omid then began studying journalism at the London College of Communication.
After graduating, he began his career as a writer and reporter.
Scobie began working as a royal reporter in 2011, four years before Meghan and Harry's romance began.
He reportedly met Meghan in 2015 at a Fashion Week event in Toronto, where she was filming Suits at the time.
Scobie has insisted multiple times that he is not friends with Meghan, and that he receives informations on the Sussexes through "mutual friends".
What has Omid Scobie published?
Aside from co-authoring Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family with American journalist Carolyn Durand in 2020, Scobie has also gone on to work on other titles.
His latest book Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival, will be released in the UK on November 28, 2023.
It promises to look “inside” the royal family and the monarchy’s “fight for survival”.
Scobie has already made some startling claims in Endgame, including attempts to portray a rift between King Charles and eldest son Prince William.
Some of the claims made in Endgame also include that the Palace lied by saying Camilla would not be Queen – despite Queen Elizabeth II saying it was her “sincere wish” in 2020.
The book also claims that Princess Kate and Meghan Markle last spoke four years ago.
The author published excerpts of the book prior to its publication in the French gossip magazine Paris Match.
Who is Omid Scobie?
Omid Scobie was born in July 1981, in Wales, before later relocating to Oxford.
He studied at the prestigious fee-paying Magdalen College School – whose alumni includes Skyfall director Sam Mendes.
He then went to state sixth form Cherwell School before studying journalism at the London College of Communication.
What has Piers Morgan said?
Piers told his TalkTV show: “I’m going to tell you names of the two Royals who are named in that Dutch version of this book.
“Because frankly if Dutch people wandering into a book shop can pick it up and see these names, then you British people here who actually pay for the British Royal Family… You’re entitled to know too.
“And then we can have a more open debate about this whole farrago.
“Because I don’t believe any racist comments were ever made by any of the Royal Family.
“And until there is actual evidence of those comments being made I will never believe it.
“But now we can start the process of finding out if they ever got uttered, what the context was, and whether there was any racial intent at all.
“Like I say, I don’t believe there was.”
Prince William is ‘hot-headed company man’, claims Omid Scobie book
In another controversial claim, Omid Scobie branded Prince William a “hot-headed company man” in his latest book titled Endgame.
Endgame, by Omid Scobie, attempts to portray a rift between King Charles and eldest son Prince William by claiming they are on a “collision course to become rivals”.
Omid Scobie refuses to apologise as royals named amid 'racism' storm
Omid Scobie refused to say sorry after two royal family members were named in connection to alleged comments made about Archie's race.
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on BBC's Newsnight, the author said he didn't feel the need to say sorry to the Royal Family.
Scobie said: “It’s not for me to apologise because I still want to know what’s happened."
Does Omid Scobie know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?
Scobie, who has been dubbed “Meghan’s Cheerleader” reportedly first met the Duchess of Sussex at Toronto Fashion Week in 2015, before she was dating Harry — at least not publicly.
He said for this reason he did not realise the significance of the encounter.
Scobie later wrote a now famous account of the Sussexes’ final engagement as working royals in 2020 when Meghan offered him “a big farewell hug” beneath the “malachite candelabras” at Buckingham Palace.
He was one of only three journalists invited.
Omid Scobie denies claims he called royals 'racist'
Speaking to ITV's This Morning yesterday, Omid Scobie insisted he has never used the word "racist" to describe the royals who allegedly questioned Archie's skin colour.
He instead described the incident as "unconscious bias" in Endgame, he claims.
But Piers Morgan, who on Wednesday named the pair in his TalkTV Uncensored show, blasted Scobie's claims as "bulls***".
What is Meghan Markle’s net worth in 2023?
It is thought that Meghan Markle is worth a similar amount to her husband.
The pair are said to share their money and often take on projects together.
Before she tied the knot with Harry, Meghan was worth an estimated £3.5million, as a result of her role in American drama Suits.
She earned a reported £500,000 pay-check for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama.
Following her marriage to a royal, she now has a 91-piece jewellery collection worth £600,000.
In pictures: Will and Kate put on united front as they attend Royal Variety Show
Prince William and Kate Middleton were all smiles as they attended the Royal Variety Show last night.
The Prince and Princess of Wales beamed on the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall.
Kate donned a Monaco Blue long-sleeved gown and sparkling diamond jewellery, while William wore a velvet tux.
Dutch translator claims names WERE in Endgame manuscript
A translator who worked on the Dutch version of Omid Scobie's book Endgame has claimed the names of two royals were included in the manuscript.
The Dutch version of his explosive book implicates two royals in alleged conversations about Archie's skin colour.
But translator Saskia Peeters claims the manuscript she received had the names of the royals in "black and white".
Speaking from her home in Arnhem, Holland, she told : "I did not add them."
Who is Omid Scobie?
Omid Scobie was born in July 1981, in Wales, before later relocating to Oxford.
He studied at the prestigious fee-paying Magdalen College School – whose alumni includes Skyfall director Sam Mendes.
He then went to state sixth form Cherwell School before studying journalism at the London College of Communication.
What did Omid Scobie say on This Morning?
He told This Morning: "I had never submitted a book that had their names in it.
"I'm frustrated but not upset about it."
Scobie went on to say he "believes" in the monarchy, however, he says there are moments that don't represent the Britain we're in today.
He said: "This book is written to sit at the heart of the conversation about the purpose and future of the Royal Family."
The author also went on to deny being pals with the Sussexes and said they'd never been close, saying: "Harry and Meghan are irrelevant to the future of the Royal Family.
"I have very little interest in what they're doing in California."
What has Omid Scobie published?
Aside from co-authoring Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family with American journalist Carolyn Durand in 2020, Scobie has also gone on to work on other titles.
His latest book Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival, will be released in the UK on November 28, 2023.
It promises to look "inside" the royal family and the monarchy's "fight for survival".
Scobie has already made some startling claims in Endgame, including attempts to portray a rift between King Charles and eldest son Prince William.
Some of the claims made in Endgame also include that the Palace lied by saying Camilla would not be Queen - despite Queen Elizabeth II saying it was her “sincere wish” in 2020.
The book also claims that Princess Kate and Meghan Markle last spoke four years ago.
The author published excerpts of the book prior to its publication in the French gossip magazine Paris Match.
COMMENT – King Charles will not dignify Omid Scobie’s tawdry publication Endgame with a response in any possible way
The following is an extract from a comment piece by Arthur Edwards, Sun Royal photographer
When King Charles speaks at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit tomorrow, he will be thinking about helping to save the planet.
When Omid Scobie released his latest book about the Royal Family, he was thinking about making money.
Charles has spoken about the dangers of climate change for more than three decades.
It is not some bandwagon he has just jumped on.
But rather than writing about these important issues, Scobie’s focused on petty falsehoods.
Harry and Meghan under fire amid ‘racism’ storm
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come under fire amid the ongoing royal race row story.
It comes after Omid Scobie appeared to name a second so-called racist in his new book.
Omid Scobie has now suggested two people raised “concerns” about their baby Archie’s skin colour.
Identities appear in a Dutch edition of his book Endgame.
Does Omid Scobie know Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?
Scobie, who has been dubbed “Meghan’s Cheerleader” reportedly first met the Duchess of Sussex at Toronto Fashion Week in 2015, before she was dating Harry — at least not publicly.
He said for this reason he did not realise the significance of the encounter.
Scobie later wrote a now famous account of the Sussexes’ final engagement as working royals in 2020 when Meghan offered him “a big farewell hug” beneath the “malachite candelabras” at Buckingham Palace.
He was one of only three journalists invited.
What did Piers Morgan say last night?
Piers last night told his TalkTV show: "I'm going to tell you names of the two Royals who are named in that Dutch version of this book.
"Because frankly if Dutch people wandering into a book shop can pick it up and see these names, then you British people here who actually pay for the British Royal Family... You're entitled to know too.
"And then we can have a more open debate about this whole farrago.
"Because I don't believe any racist comments were ever made by any of the Royal Family.
"And until there is actual evidence of those comments being made I will never believe it.
"But now we can start the process of finding out if they ever got uttered, what the context was, and whether there was any racial intent at all.
"Like I say, I don't believe there was."
