Amid the swirling rumors about Meghan Markle possibly releasing her own memoir, Omid Scobie, a renowned royal biographer, has cast doubts on its potential success compared to Prince Harry's tell-all book, "Spare." Scobie, who has recently published "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival," voiced his thoughts to Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent, Jack Royston, expressing skepticism about the Duchess of Sussex's ability to be as candid as required for a compelling memoir.
Scobie argues that Markle's tendency to curate her public image might hinder the authenticity needed for a successful autobiography. "To gain the respect of the reader, you have to be completely human in your portrayal, transparent in your portrayal of yourself," he explained. He emphasized that a memoir needs to reflect a genuine and sometimes unflattering portrait of its subject, something he feels Markle may struggle with given her 'curated take' on her image.
This insight comes as Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," continues to make waves with its candid and sometimes controversial revelations. Scobie believes that Harry's straightforward and open nature makes his memoir inherently more intriguing than any potential offering from Markle. "Harry has always been a very candid, candid man," Scobie said, contrasting this with what he perceives as Markle's more controlled public persona.
Furthermore, Scobie discussed the couple's approach to acknowledging their past in both "Spare" and their Netflix documentary series, "Harry & Meghan." He suggests that their narratives are shaped by their desire to protect and defend each other, which may skew the balance and objectivity expected in a memoir. "His [Harry's] descriptions of those experiences are always going to come from that very place," Scobie noted.
Scobie wasn't surprised by the direction Prince Harry took with "Spare," likening it to their much-discussed interview with Oprah Winfrey. In both instances, the Sussexes openly shared their experiences and allegations against certain royal family members, while the royals chose to remain silent. "We were never gonna hear anyone else's side of the story other than their own, and it's the same with Spare," he stated.
Prince Harry's openness in "Spare," which hit shelves on January 10, extended to sharing intimate and personal details, including those about his private life. This level of candor has become a popular topic among comedians and has further fueled the public's fascination with the book.
As the world eagerly awaits to see if Meghan Markle will indeed pen her own memoir, Scobie's insights offer a unique perspective on the challenges she might face in crafting a narrative that resonates with the authenticity and rawness exhibited by Prince Harry in "Spare."
