What's Prince Harry and Meghan Narc-kle’s Endgame? Pair's new tactic sparks chaos for King
COMMENT: Meghan Markle - or Narc-kle as I like to call her with a narcissist in mind - appears to be behind a number of recent Sussex attempts at trying to force their way back into the royal fold.
“Harry and Meghan would NOT be welcome at Royals' Sandringham Christmas” is the latest in a long line of headlines to surround the Sussexes.
The couple may have said they'd accept an invitation to join the royals at Sandringham if they were invited, but I can’t see them being welcomed by the family this year. There’s no way William and Kate or even the Queen would make an appearance if they did.
If you include the stories surrounding whether or not Harry and Meghan were invited to Charles’s 75th or intimate details leaked about a pre-recorded video message sent to the King on his birthday, it all sounds a rather familiar tale with fingers firmly pointed at it coming from the Sussex camp.
But why now after all the mudslinging?
If it isn't the couple slamming William and Kate on Oprah, it's one-sided articles appearing in The Telegraph or swipes coming from Omid Scobie on their behalf. Although both the Sussexes and Scobie deny that he’s the couple’s mouthpiece, the information he possesses makes that very hard to believe.
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Scobie has clearly had a very close relationship with Harry and Meghan over the years. He co-wrote the couple’s biography Finding Freedom and regularly made public statements contradicting or denying stories seemingly on the Sussexes' behalf. He maintained that closeness right up until the announcement of his new book, Endgame.
Out on November 28, Endgame describes how William ignored Harry’s messages when he asked how he was planning to get to Scotland on the day the late Queen died.
It also details how Charles told him to come alone without Meghan. Sources state that there’s no way Scobie could have known such intimate details unless the information came directly from the Sussexes.
There was a time, however, when Scobie wasn’t such a Sussex stalker. I knew of him when he was shifting at magazines in London in the mid to late 2000s.
We bumped into each other quite often on the party circuit where he was always very polite but was known for being rather slimy and duplicitous among hacks. Possibly even displaying early Narc-kle traits himself.
He was an attractive young Iranian who seemed rather unhappy in himself. I must admit I felt rather sorry for him at the time. I remember the passion that filled him when he talked about his obsession with Japanese culture and manga. I can’t help but think that’s where he drew inspiration for his latest look.
Known for being a savage social climber, he meticulously worked his way through those that mattered until he found what he was looking for at the likes of Soho House and other private member clubs.
In journalism circles, it’s widely known how he managed to wangle his way into becoming the Sussexes’ biographer and mouthpiece – a mouth that came in very handy indeed. More on that another time, perhaps.
I think that when Scobie was originally writing Endgame, the Sussexes thought that by the time it came out, they would be flying high. But that couldn’t be further from the truth as it’s been a year now since they have done anything of note.
Harry and Meghan’s self-titled Netflix documentary was released last December. Since then, they’ve lost out on a lucrative $20 million Spotify deal with exec Bill Simmons calling them “grifters”.
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Netflix also cancelled the development of Pearl; an animated series created by Meghan. After signing with talent agency WME in April, there are still no new projects in the pipeline, and the couple are noticeably struggling to find their way in Hollywood.
Now, upon distancing themselves from Scobie and Endgame, the Sussexes seem determined to get back into the royal fold. But why now after years of trying to tear them down? Are they short of money or have they finally realised that their only USP is being royal?
It seems very clear to me that the only reason the Sussexes are so intent on getting back into the firm’s good graces is because all else has failed and it’s suddenly dawned on them that they need that royal connection to survive. But to assume that the Royal Family will welcome them back with open arms and allow bygones to be bygones is bizarre to me. And who can blame them?
The Royal Family is treading a very thin line. Denying something that has already been announced by the Sussexes or ignoring them at key milestones like birthdays and Christmases could prove a communications disaster for the Palace. It’s a tricky game for them to play.
If there is any going back for the Sussexes now, the Royal Family will surely only allow it to avoid the ridiculous media circus surrounding their rather public and embarrassing feud.
A “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” type scenario will ensue to silence their swipes and protect what’s left of the family’s reputation.
So, the endgame for the Sussexes now appears to be a change of strategy and to force their way back into the fold whether the Royal Family wants it or not.
Nathan Kay is a freelance journalist with over 20 years of experience. He's worked with the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, CNN, the Express, OK! and other leading publications. He’s revealed a number of scoops from royal security rows, the slimmed-down monarchy, Kate’s charity endeavours, the Wales’s wedding secrets and more. Nathan also has a post-graduate qualification in Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary University in London which may make him more qualified than most in being able to spot a narcissist.
