Will Catherine Princess of Wales and His Majesty King Charles Sue Omid Scobie for Libel, Slander, and Defamation?

The recent release of Endgame, a book by Omid Scobie, a former People magazine correspondent, has sparked intense debate and speculation about potential legal action by Catherine, Princess of Wales, and King Charles III against Scobie for alleged libel, slander, and defamation. This article will explore the likelihood of such a lawsuit and the complexities involved.

Historical Context of Royal Defamation

Over the centuries, royalty has been the subject of countless defamatory speeches and writings, with ordinary citizens often eagerly consuming such content. However, the reigning monarchs, along with most of their extended families, have traditionally and wisely chosen not to dignify the defamation with a response and instead have ignored it. This approach does not imply the veracity of the statements. In fact, defamation suits often fail because plaintiffs can prove the statements are false but struggle to demonstrate compensable harm.

Unlikely Legal Action: The Why and How

Although many critics and fans are clamoring for Catherine and King Charles to take legal action, it is improbable that they will do so. The primary reason for this is the potential consequences of such a lawsuit. Bringing a defamation case would necessitate the disclosure of information that the Royal Family (RF) wishes to keep private. This would involve proving the inaccuracy of the allegations, which would require revealing the identity of the individuals responsible for the defamatory statements. Furthermore, it would mean publicly discussing when these statements were made and having witnesses testify in open court.

Given the sensitivity of royal matters and the deep personal stakes involved, public airing of dirty linen is not advisable. The ordeal of convincing Harry and Meghan to testify could be especially challenging due to their strained relationship with the royal family. The royal couple would need to issue a formal invitation and ask the Sussexes to support their case, a situation that might be met with reluctance or outright refusal.

Legal Standards and Challenges

It is important to note that the terms libel and slander both fall under the broader category of defamation. Libel refers to written defamation, while slander refers to spoken defamation. In the case of Endgame, if the allegations were presented in print and proven to be false, the Royal Family might face a libel case rather than a slander case.

Specifically, Catherine Windsor and Charles Windsor would need to demonstrate that their names were in error in the books that have been withdrawn. They would have to obtain a copy of the withdrawn book and prove that it was erroneous. Additionally, they would need to secure testimony from Harry and Meghan acknowledging that they did not make the racist remarks attributed to them. This process would be fraught with difficulties, given the hostile relationship between the families.

Implied Consent and Potential Backlash

If Catherine and Charles do not pursue legal action, it could be argued that their silence constitutes tacit consent. By not suing, they might be seen as implicitly admitting to the allegations. This could lead to a moral dilemma and potential backlash from the public and media. As Shakespeare would put it, "hoist by their own petard," both King Charles III and his wife may find themselves in a situation they had hoped to avoid.

Conclusion

The likelihood of Catherine Princess of Wales and His Majesty King Charles III suing Omid Scobie for libel, slander, and defamation is low. The potential fallout and the difficulties involved in proving the statements' inaccuracy and obtaining necessary testimony make such an action unwise. However, if they do not sue, it could provide fodder for critics and detractors, potentially jeopardizing their public image and relationship with the public.