A new book about the U.K.’s royal family, reportedly packed with revelations about King Charles III, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and the rest of the royal clan, is set to drop on Monday. According to reviewers and book buyers who got a sneak peek, Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival includes the detail that the mention of Meghan Markle can prompt a chill in the palace air.
Omid Scobie, the book’s author, has long sought to chronicle the present-day royal family, even as he faced allegations—since denied—that Markle and Prince Harry have served as the Buckingham Palace Deep Throats fueling his reports.
Does that mean he’s Team Harry and Meghan? Some, like the Daily Mail—which calls Scobie their “cheerleader in chief”—say he is, and a 2020 interview with Vanity Fair suggests the journalist has a great deal of affection for the pair. With advance word on Endgame painting a challenging portrait of William and Kate, it’s unlikely that Scobie will be shaking that cheerleader designation any time soon.
Chief among the book’s claims regarding Harry’s older brother are that he’s “a cold, ruthless figure who cannot wait to ascend the throne,” the Times reports. King Charles “leads with his head and his heart,” the book reportedly reads. “William is colder. He wants the job done, and he has no problem with casualties along the way.”
Scobie’s icy theme carries over to Middleton, Page Six reports. “She can be cold if she doesn’t like someone,” the book reportedly reads (which, honestly, isn’t that true for most of us?), but apparently also finds her easily chilled, as she “jokingly shivers” when Markle’s name comes up.
Presumably to retain what little warmth she can, Middleton and Markle have had “almost zero direct communication” for nearly four years, Endgame claims, “bar a few short pleasantries, between the pair since late 2019.”
In Scobie’s estimation, however, Middleton is basically just dressing for the job she wants—and part of that is avoiding any conflict or messiness. “Kate has learned what is paramount for survival in the system,” he writes in Endgame. “Vanishing into your role, giving away nothing, and allowing yourself to embody what the public sees in you.”
Listen to Vanity Fair’s DYNASTY podcast now.
Eve Batey
Source link
