Omid Scobie's Fiction Debut 'Royal Spin' Blends Royal Truth with Fantasy
Royal biographer Omid Scobie has revealed that his new fiction book, titled Royal Spin, represents a "real mix of things true and not true". The novel, which marks the 44-year-old journalist's first venture into fiction, was co-authored with young adult writer Robin Benway. According to its promotional blurb, the story draws inspiration from popular series like Emily in Paris and the gay romance novel Red, White & Royal Blue.
Addressing Comparisons to Real Royal Romances
Speculation has arisen that the plot might be inspired by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's whirlwind love story. Scobie directly addressed these comparisons during a recent interview on Good Morning America while promoting Royal Spin. He emphasized that the creators aimed to establish a completely separate universe, distinct from real-life royal figures.
"We really wanted to make sure that this felt like a completely separate universe," Scobie stated. "We didn't want someone to be like, 'That's Harry and Meghan! That's the Andrew situation.' We wanted it to live in its own space."
However, Scobie acknowledged that his extensive experience as a royal reporter inevitably influenced the narrative. "It's a real mix of things true and not true," he explained, noting that his twelve years of covering the monarchy provided rich material for character development and plotlines.
Plot Overview and Alleged Real-Life Inspirations
The book follows the adventures of Lauren Morgan, an American spin doctor who leaves her position at the White House to become head of communications at Buckingham Palace. This career move drastically alters her life, leading to a romantic entanglement with Jasper, the handsome Duke of Exeter, described as a "misunderstood maverick".
Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir has pointed out several elements that seem thinly-veiled references to real events:
- Lauren's strained relationship with her troubled father echoes Meghan Markle's difficulties with her father, Thomas Markle.
- The protagonist's aversion to pantyhose mirrors the Duchess of Sussex's own dislike, as she expressed in a 2023 interview with Bloomberg's Emily Chang.
- A scandal involving a "racist vase" placed by a royal-by-marriage wife during a luncheon for NHS workers from Caribbean nations appears to reference Princess Michael of Kent's 2017 blackamoor brooch incident.
Additionally, dialogue in the book touches on royal family dynamics, with Jasper discussing a "playbook" used by the institution—a concept reminiscent of Prince Harry's accusations about The Firm's press office tactics in the 2022 Netflix docuseries.
Author Insights and Broader Royal Context
In interviews, Scobie and Benway have consistently maintained that their royal characters exist in an "alternate universe" with their own unique storylines. Scobie described the setting as unexplored territory, comparing it to Emily in Paris but focusing on cultural clashes within a traditional institution.
Benway highlighted the universal appeal of family dynamics, stating, "It's almost Shakespearean. It's family dynamics. It's so not universal and yet extremely universal, the effects of your family and how does it affect the generations after that."
Scobie also briefly commented on recent royal developments, including the latest Epstein files release implicating Prince Andrew. He noted increasing pressure on the monarchy for transparency and referenced statements from Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace expressing concern for victims.
Reflecting on his previous work, Finding Freedom, which detailed the Sussexes' split from the royal family, Scobie suggested it "questioned the future of the monarchy". He remains open to telling more stories as events unfold, blending his journalistic background with creative storytelling in Royal Spin.
