Controversial royal journalist Omid Scobie has taken to social media to unveil his debut novel, Royal Spin, marking his first foray into fiction after penning explosive biographies about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In a video shared with his 51,000 followers, the 44-year-old author excitedly presented the book, though the title appeared backwards due to an inverted camera, adding a quirky twist to the reveal.
A New Chapter in Scobie's Writing Career
Scobie, previously known for co-authoring Finding Freedom and Endgame—books that delved into intimate details of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's lives, earning him the label 'Harry and Meghan's mouthpiece'—has now collaborated with US young adult fiction author Robin Benway on this new project. Royal Spin is published by Sphere Fiction after a hotly contested auction that secured a lucrative six-figure sum, highlighting the anticipation surrounding this release.
Plot and Characters of Royal Spin
The novel centres on Lauren Morgan, a young American woman who leaves her press role at the White House for a position at Buckingham Palace. Described as a fun, fish-out-of-water romantic workplace comedy, the story plunges Lauren into a hotbed of office politics where tradition nearly always prevails. A key element involves a love triangle with a royal reporter named Oscar and Jasper, the Duke of Exeter, who is seeking a fresh start as a working royal.
In his social media video, Scobie expressed delight at seeing the final retail copies, noting the bright covers and sharing that authors typically only receive galley copies—cheaper, lower-quality paperbacks—until close to launch. He laughed off the inverted title in the video, saying, That's probably the wrong way round, I don't know how to flip the camera. but there she is.
Background and Broader Context
Scobie explained that writing Royal Spin provided a welcome respite from what he called a crazy and chaotic number of years covering the royals, and he and Benway thoroughly enjoyed the creative process. The book is set for publication on February 11 in the UK, with reports indicating that Universal Television is developing a series adaptation, where Scobie will serve as writer, co-creator, and executive producer, alongside Benway and showrunner Emily Fox.
Controversies and Connections
This announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Scobie's work, particularly following a major royal race row in November 2023 when the Dutch translation of his book Endgame named two royals alleged to have inquired about Prince Archie's skin colour before his birth. Known for his closeness to Harry and Meghan, Scobie's previous biography, Finding Freedom in 2020, portrayed the Sussexes in glowing terms, further cementing his reputation as a key commentator on royal affairs.
As Royal Spin prepares to hit shelves, it represents not only a shift in genre for Scobie but also a potential new avenue in entertainment, blending royal intrigue with comedic and romantic elements to captivate readers and viewers alike.
