Omid Scobie has defended a tweet showing an alarm clock set for 6pm, the time Princess Kate announced her cancer diagnosis.
The author of Endgame posted the screenshot on X just before 5pm on Friday (March 22), an hour before the video was released of the Princess of Wales. His post prompted more wild speculation from fellow X users.
In an emotional message, Kate spoke about the “huge shock” she felt after tests identified cancer following her abdominal surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family has experienced. Her voice cracked with emotion at times during the footage.
Scobie returned to X in the early hours of Saturday (March 23), posting a statement. It reads: “When there was word circulating that an announcement was coming from the Palace at 6pm GMT, I tweeted an image of the time for followers to keep an eye out.
“When the world, and myself (sic), learned how serious the news ended up being, I removed the tweet to stop any speculation taking place underneath it.
“It’s upsetting and disturbing to now see that post being portrayed as some sort of sick ‘countdown’ by the Mail (and other outlets that quickly copied).
“I try to shrug off lies like these, but this one was too disgusting to ignore.”
Princess Kate fans dismissed Scobie’s statement, saying the post was “beneath contempt”.
X user Steph, tweeting under the account @Sapphireblues3, wrote: “You can delete the post, but it’s been seen. Who in their right mind posts a countdown clock on someone suffering from cancer.”
Clarissa Reilly, tweeting from the account @clarecastle, said: “Beneath contempt.”
Fellow X user Princess Anastasia wrote: “Scobie is completely lacking in compassion or empathy.”
Some X users defended Scobie, with Cindi Marie tweeting: “He posted it as a reminder for the ‘palace announcement’ way before Kate made her announcement. Stop making things up.”
Activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu replied to Scobie’s tweet, saying: “Well said and don’t mind the hypocrites Omid, there was nothing wrong with your post of the alarm in the first place.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has led messages of support for the Princess of Wales. He praised Kate’s “tremendous bravery” and said the royal has “the love and support of the whole country”.
Mr Sunak called for her to be given privacy as she continues treatment, criticising the “intense scrutiny” she has been subjected to in recent weeks.
Princess Kate’s health and whereabouts were the subject of frenzied speculation with wild conspiracy theories circulating on social media and in some foreign publications.
Speaking in the video message recorded on Wednesday (March 20) in Windsor, Princess Kate said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.”
It is understood the video was released on the day William and Kate’s three children began their Easter school holidays to take advantage of the break to shield them from coverage of their mother’s health.
