Omid Scobie’s Endgame book: New details on Queen Elizabeth’s final days

In his new book Endgame, Omid Scobie reveals more about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s missed final visit with the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth was “smiling and in good spirits” during her final summer in Balmoral, where she welcomed visits from friends and family and even cracked the odd joke, Omid Scobie writes in Endgame.

While suffering from mobility issues that necessitated the use of a staghorn cane, the Queen enjoyed picnics, barbecues, and short walks with her corgis Sandy and Muick after arriving in Scotland in July.

She would remain at Balmoral until her death on September 8, but worked up until the end, “fulfilling her daily duties without fail,” Scobie writes.

King Charles III follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey. Picture: Getty Images

Those duties included a final hour-long meeting with Boris Johnson, accepting his resignation as prime minister, and one immediately afterwards with Liz Truss, in which she invited her to head a new government.

Scobie writes that aides had suggested Charles might take her place at those meetings, but the Queen was adamant she was up to the task despite her failing health, saying: “It’s my job”.

While the comings and goings of family from Balmoral that season have been well documented, less well known is an overnight visit from the Reverend Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Scobie writes that the Queen’s “trademark wit” was evident during his stay.

“After dining together, the monarch stopped Reverend Dr Greenshields before he returned to his guest accommodation at the castle’s Tower Rooms. ‘Your Queen is sending you to the tower”,” Scobie quote her as saying, adding that she was “chuckling at her own joke”.

While the Queen was receiving the odd visitor during her last summer, Harry and Meghan’s request to meet her while in the country on a planned five-day visit was rejected, and they were also kept in the dark about her poor health.

all bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top into St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England. Picture: Getty Images

Scobie claims Harry was told prior to leaving the US the Queen’s schedule was too packed to meet him and suggests the imminent release of his Netflix docuseries and book Spare meant “family members and palace officials were also doing their best to keep the couple at arm’s length and out of the loop”.

“Any rumours about Her Majesty possibly being in her final days had certainly not made it as far as California,” Scobie writes.

He says even when they arrived in the UK the Sussexes had no idea the Palace was planning the Queen’s final hours.

King Charles III and Prince William salute after the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Prince William follow the State Hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Getty Images

When Harry got a call from his father telling him to get to Scotland immediately just hours before The Queen’s death, he tried contacting William to find out how he was getting there, but got no response.

Meanwhile, his brother, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and wife Sophie, were organising a flight that would take off just 19 miles from Frogmore Cottage, then the Sussexes’ British home.

A source close to the couple, said it was “upsetting to witness”.

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

Author Omid Scobie. Picture: Supplied

Another contentious issue was when Charles told Harry not to bring Meghan citing ‘protocol’ for the reason why, saying Kate was staying in Windsor.

But Scobie claims Kate’s decision was nothing to do with protocol, but that she thought it best to stay back and pick up the children from their first day at a new school.

“They just didn’t want Meghan there,” a former Palace aide is quoted as saying.

While the book quotes Meghan’s friend who adds the Duchess “could sense she wasn’t wanted.”

Harry arrived hours after his brother and while he was warmly greeted at Balmoral by Princess Anne - the top-tier royals King Charles, Queen Camilla and the heir Prince William -had already left to dine at Birkhall.

Harry spent some time with the Queen before having supper with the other members of the family at Balmoral, following no invite from his father or brother to eat with them.

Scobie quotes a family friend as saying, the Queen was one of Harry and Meghan’s “last strong links to the family”.

“She always made them feel welcome,” the source says. “Without her ... it will never be the same.”

Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival by Omid Scobie, published by HQ, is on sale November 29. Available at booktopia