Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy's Fight for Survival

Endgame (2023) is a nonfiction work by Omid Scobie that examines the British monarchy and its changing role and relevance in a contemporary world. The book explores themes of The Public Versus Personal Lives of the Royal Family, The Monarchy’s Struggle for Relevance, and The Intricate Dynamics of Image and Power Within the Royal Family.

Omid Scobie is a journalist and writer who has covered the lives and philanthropic works of the younger royals in the British monarchy for many years. In addition to his royal reporting, Scobie co-authored Finding Freedom (2021), which details the Sussexes’ experiences with and journey out of the royal family.

This guide is based on the 2023 HarperCollins Kindle e-book Edition.

Plot Summary

The book is divided into a prologue and 16 discrete chapters, each of which examines a specific aspect of the monarchy.

In the Prologue, Scobie notes the significant events that transpired since he started writing the book: Queen Elizabeth II’s death, King Charles III’s coronation, Prince Andrew, Duke of York’s defrocking, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex’s series and memoir. These events allowed him to observe what the next stage of the monarchy would be before contextualizing it in writing.

In Chapter 1, Scobie recounts the Queen’s final days at Balmoral where she eventually passed away, and the funeral that followed.

In Chapter 2, Scobie examines the troubles facing the monarchy after their longest-serving sovereign’s death. This includes the tension between William, Prince of Wales, and his father over the common perception that Charles is merely a transitional king; Charles’s ineptitude in handling the family drama involving both Harry and Andrew; and William and Kate’s (Catherine, Princess of Wales) struggles to remain connected and relevant to a younger generation.

In Chapter 3, Scobie sheds light on King Charles’s premiere, his adjustment to a role that he has coveted for so long but comes with far more limitations than he bargained for, and the challenges he faced in his first 100 days as king.

Chapter 4 covers how the royal family has always relied on tradition and nostalgia to keep itself relevant and relatable, and why this approach is failing in contemporary times.

Chapter 5 considers some of the baggage Charles carries into his new role as king, including a string of bad decisions and instances of ill judgment that have played out over his life. This includes Charles’s vocal advocacy during his time as heir, cash-related controversies, and his affair with Camilla and subsequent divorce from Diana, Princess of Wales.

Chapter 6 covers Andrew’s fall from grace following his association with American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and subsequent allegations of sexual assault from one of Epstein’s former victims. Despite Andrew eventually being stripped of his royal titles and duties, he continues to enjoy an unwarranted degree of entitlement and protection, courtesy of his family. Scobie examines how this continues to pose a problem for the monarchy.

Chapter 7 explores the royal family’s history with racism going back to colonial times and the present-day refusal to sufficiently engage with the subject. Scobie examines how Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s experiences with and subsequent exit from the family point to how the Firm refuses to examine, acknowledge, or apologize for its actions, and what future implications this holds for the monarchy.

Chapter 8 profiles William, now heir to the throne, and how he has managed his personal self and public persona over the years. Scobie wonders whether William’s vulnerable side will be allowed to exist after years in the Firm.

Chapter 9 profiles Harry and how his experiences since his exit from the royal family have confirmed this to be the right decision for him. Scobie chronicles Harry’s battles with the press and his new life outside the Firm.

Chapter 10 looks at the role of the royal courtiers within the Firm. Scobie notes how they have influenced significant moments in royal history with wise advice, as well as deception and intrigue.

Chapter 11 examines how Diana’s legacy has been revised and rewritten over the years. The Firm has preserved the portions of Diana’s story that serve the royal family well, like her glamor and popularity, while attempting to discredit those life experiences that expose the Palace’s failings and portray them in a bad light.

Chapters 12 and 13 feature a two-part examination of the Windsor women who have thrived within the royal family: Camilla and Kate. Scobie looks at Camilla’s journey from reviled mistress to the Queen of England, and the factors that aided in this image rehabilitation. Similarly, he examines how a naturally reticent and introverted Kate has been faring under increasing pressure to step into the spotlight, the closer she and William get to the throne.

Chapter 14 examines the relationship between the royal family and the media. Scobie explores why it exists at all, and the different ways in which it is maintained.

Chapter 15 illustrates how and why the glory of the royalty has been fading over the years, with contributing factors including Britain’s economic woes at home, diminishing global power, and growing republican sentiment.

The final chapter presents the conclusion to Scobie’s long thesis that the British monarchy is in its “endgame.” If the monarchy does not read the signs and welcome real change, then it will not survive the modern world for long.