The relationship between high-profile public figures and the journalists who cover them is rarely static. Reports detailing a growing distance between Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and royal author Omid Scobie highlight a calculated shift in how the Sussexes manage their public relations and media profile.
From Strategic Defense to Tactical Distance
For several years, Scobie served as one of the most visible defenders of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in mainstream media. Co-authoring the 2020 biography Finding Freedom, his reporting frequently provided a counter-narrative to harsh UK tabloid coverage following the couple’s relocation to the United States.
However, industry insider reporting on the Naughty But Nice Substack indicates that the alliance has cooled significantly. Insiders suggest that the change was driven not by Scobie stepping back, but by the Duchess’s team prioritizing new public relations objectives.
The Shift Away from “Look-Back Projects”
A key factor behind the distance involves the release of Scobie’s 2023 book, Endgame. While intended as a critique of the modern monarchy, the book re-opened contentious debates surrounding private family discussions.
| Phase | Media Strategy Focus | Outcome |
| 2020–2023 | Tell-all docuseries, memoirs (Spare), and investigative biographies | Established independent voice; created prolonged media friction |
| 2024–Present | Unscripted lifestyle media, direct consumer brands, and private diplomacy | Focuses on long-term commercial sustainability and quiet family contact |
Royal commentators note that Endgame conflicted with the Sussexes’ stated desire to conclude their era of “look-back projects.” As Prince Harry and Meghan focus on building commercial initiatives like As Ever alongside independent media production, maintaining connections with explosive royal exposés no longer aligns with their brand goals.
The Operational Reality of Public Profile Management
While commentators often frame changes in a celebrity’s inner circle through a personal lens, public relations experts view such shifts as standard practice in high-stakes brand management. When an author’s narrative no longer serves an individual’s evolving long-term goals, public alignment naturally fades.
By creating space from former media allies and focusing on private family connections—such as their recent quiet gathering with King Charles at Highgrove House—the Sussexes continue to redraw the boundaries of their post-royal public lives.
Source: Compiled from various sources
