Meghan and Harry are further isolated from the royals after the release of a new book
The book’s out – but senior royals aren’t happy
‘I love Meghan, but don’t like what she’s become’
How has it only been eight months since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped the bombshell that they’d decided to “make a transition in starting to carve out a progressive new role” within the royal family? Back then, it seemed that a compromise might be possible – the Queen even left the door ajar for their full-time return as senior royals, saying arrangements would be reviewed in 12 months.
But almost immediately, Harry and Meghan began burning bridges – upping sticks from Canada (where they claimed they’d sought privacy) to LA, announcing they were no longer working with a large chunk of the British press and cashing in on commercial opportunities. And last week, any last hopes of them resuming their royal duties – or reconnecting to Harry’s family – were smashed, after the long-awaited biography, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Family, made its debut.
Harry and Meghan have denied they “contributed” to the book, but its writers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand say they wrote it with “the participation of those closest to the couple”. And not only are the details intimate and specific, they’re also jawdropping, taking aim at everyone from Prince William and Kate Middleton to Prince Charles and the Queen herself for treating the Sussexes “unfairly”.
Unsurprisingly, the fallout from the book has widened the rift beyond repair. According to royal insiders, Harry and Meghan have “torpedoed” any chance of coming back into the fold. As one source said last week, “The review period has not yet been discussed but it doesn’t seem as if there is any way of going back now. Some very private family matters have now been aired in public, seemingly with their blessing. That will be hurtful.”
Among the private matters that the book details is the muchpublicised hostility between Harry and his brother. According to the book’s authors, Harry felt William had been a “snob” after advising him to “not rush” into marriage with Meg. They also say
Prince Charles was “crushed” when Harry announced his engagement in 2017, as it overshadowed his tour of the Middle East, while Kate is accused of “snubbing” Meghan – notably, at the Commonwealth Service in March, which marked Harry and Meghan’s last appearance as working royals. It was also claimed that Meghan and Harry were jealous of William and Kate getting preferential treatment and duties.
As for the Queen, the book suggests Harry and Meghan were upset when she didn’t include a photograph of them on her desk while filming her Christmas speech last year.
Unsurprisingly, the book’s explosive revelations – and apparent sympathy for Harry and Meghan – have courted a lot of outrage and controversy, not least from Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle. Last week, he said, “This is the worst time in the world for them to be whining and complaining about anything – people everywhere are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic. I love my daughter, but I don’t appreciate what she’s become.”
His views were echoed by royal fans, especially as the book reveals that Meghan used to tip off the paparazzi while working on the TV show Suits, despite later saying she didn’t understand the UK’S “tabloid culture”.
One online commenter said, “Harry and Meghan are selfish brats,” while another chimed in, “Meghan was clearly jealous of Kate and didn’t know her place.” A third follower read the couple their last rites, “These two have proven time and time again they’re hypocrites and selfish narcissists. They have zero credibility. End of.” ■