Facing backlash from insiders, Scobie, originally from East London, was seen in Los Angeles shortly before the new year. Dressed inconspicuously in all black with a baseball cap, he attracted attention for his unassuming appearance. Reports circulated that Scobie met with Meghan Markle at the Beverly Hills Hotel, with paparazzi capturing images of them leaving with tense expressions. Allegedly during this encounter, Scobie attempted to blackmail Meghan, demanding $2 million to keep damaging information confidential.
This purported attempt at extortion seems to have backfired on Scobie, turning him into a public laughing stock and an object of ridicule. With negative sales numbers and potential legal repercussions, he appears to have damaged his professional standing, making himself practically unemployable. This incident could be the final straw for Scobie, considering the ongoing attacks by Harry and Meghan on his work. While legal action over "Endgame" is unlikely, the consequences may involve freezing out Scobie from Royal circles.
Cleaning house seems to be a more straightforward option for dealing with this situation, avoiding entanglement in a legal quagmire that Harry has shown a penchant for. The upper class typically does not tolerate unfounded slurs designed to ruin reputations and relationships, making Scobie's credibility questionable. Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal editor, reported that Royal aides anticipated "Endgame" to be a hatchet job based on Scobie's previously favorable work about the Sussexes in "Finding Freedom." Despite the book rehashing well-known events with a Sussex bias, critics question the credibility of Scobie's claims, describing the protagonist's almost pantomimic nature and casting doubt on much of Scobie's narrative. Others note a fairy tale air to the book, emphasizing Scobie's limited knowledge and raising embarrassment.
