‘NO GOING BACK FOR FEUDING ROYALS’
THERE is no going back for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after the “slow destruction” of Prince Harry, royal observers warn.
The biography Finding Freedom, has sent shockwaves through royal circles, revealing a fractious relationship between the Sussexes and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
William and Kate have hit out at the book’s allegations which include Prince Harry being left “p ***** off” when his “snobby” brother cautioned him not to rush into marrying “that girl”.
Friends said the Cambridges had “done all they possibly could” to welcome the American actress Meghan into the royal fold.
They insist the couple “rolled out the red carpet” adding they “welcomed Meghan with open arms”.
Last night sources suggested it would be hard for the Sussexes to mend the rift with the rest of the Royal Family.
Petulant
Prince Charles’ biographer, Tom Bower said: “We are witnessing the slow destruction of Harry, a muchloved prince, and it is a tragedy.
“The couple seem defensive and embittered, petulant even – certainly if the pages of Finding Freedom are to be believed.
“Harry’s decision to walk away from the monarchy – and criticise it so roundly – has hurt his father and caused a rift with his grandparents.
“Loyalty to a new wife is one thing, but surely his duty as a grandson who owes so much to these two wonderful people was not to cause them any grief.
“According to the authors, Charles had made it clear to Harry that he was very much part of the future for the Royal Family, despite calls for a “slimmed down monarchy” with fewer senior working Royals. For Meghan, however, I fear there is no return.”
The book, by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand which has been serialised in the Times and Sunday Times, claims Meghan was subjected to several humiliating snubs by Kate, who they say, went shopping without the American although both were headed for the same London street.
On another occasion, after Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, had announced they were to turn their backs on Britain, the book alleges Kate ignored her sister-in-law at Meghan’s farewell appearance as a senior Royal at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in March.
In an interview, Scobie said: “Meghan tried to make eye contact with Kate, the Duchess barely acknowledged her.
“To purposefully snub your sister-in-law. I don’t think it left a great taste in the couple’s mouths.” During a polo match in July 2019, Meghan and Kate were described as having a “cordial but distant rapport”. The two had reportedly struggled to move past the distant politeness of when they first met, according to the biography.
The authors claim: “While the doting mothers were photographed next to each other with their children, the two appeared to barely exchange a word.”
They added: “The truth was that Meghan and Kate just didn’t know each other that well.” However, despite the picture of her hurt running through the book, the authors say the Duchess of Sussex “didn’t lose sleep” over Kate not befriending her as she expected.
Scobie and Durand dismiss rumours Meghan made Kate cry during a bridesmaid’s dress fitting for Princess Charlotte.
A source, who was allegedly there, said: “Kate and Meghan were both a little stressed but professional in the room and there were other people there.”
Corrupted
The book also says reports Meghan shouted at a member of Kate’s team were untrue.
The story allegedly related to Kensington Palace deputy communications secretary Katrina McKeever, who left her post in September 2018.
The authors wrote: “McKeever left on a good note with the Sussexes, who sent her a handwritten letter and huge floral arrangement when she left.”
Finding Freedom also claims Meghan felt sorry for her estranged father, wanted him at her wedding and blamed the media for “corrupting” him.
Meghan felt let down when Thomas Markle, 76, lied to her by denying he helped the paparazzi stage photos of him going about his life in a Mexican resort town before the royal wedding.
But both Meghan and Harry were also angry at the media for wearing down Mr Markle until he complied with their requests.
According to a “trusted confidant” of the Duchess, Meghan had said: “My dad never sought this out. I really believe that he’s the victim, and now I feel sad because I believe he’s been fully corrupted.”
Courtiers come in for heavy criticism in the book. They are alleged to have called Meghan “Harry’s showgirl” and “Duchess Different” as she felt as though she was wrongly being branded “difficult” or a “bitch” behind her back.
It is claimed some palace aides resented having to serve “an actress on a cable show” and a senior courtier is said to have been overheard telling a colleague: “There’s just something about her I don’t trust.”