Truth behind what looked like portrait of one very happy family
THE Prince of Wales’ official 70th birthday photograph with his family was an ‘absolute nightmare’ to plan because his sons blew ‘hot and cold’ with their father, the book claims.
The photo released in 2018 featured the heir to the throne sitting on a bench with Prince George on his knee, and the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Charlotte next to him.
Standing behind were Prince William and Kate, with the duchess holding Prince Louis, and Harry and Meghan.
A source said it was difficult to arrange as ‘neither William nor Harry made much of an effort to make themselves available’, with the authors of the book describing Charles and Harry’s relationship as ‘complicated’.
But when Charles contracted Covid-19, Harry immediately telephoned his father to find out how he was, the book states. ‘The doctors described the Prince of Wales as in “good spirits” and his symptoms as mild, it was still enough to fill Harry with worry,’ the authors wrote.
‘He immediately called Charles at Birkhall, his Scottish home where he was now quarantined. Harry regularly checked in on his father until he was out of quarantine and recovered – as well as Camilla, who isolated herself as a precaution.’
Meanwhile, Meghan saw Prince Charles as a father figure – and he was equally fond of her, the book claims. She is said to have formed such a close bond with Charles that she considers him her ‘second father’.
He is said to have taken a ‘real shine’ to her, describing her as a ‘sassy, confident beautiful American’. A friend said: ‘He likes very strong, confident women. She’s bright, and she’s self-aware, and I can see why they’ve struck up a very quick friendship.’
Meghan’s first cup of tea with the Queen is also described in great detail in Finding Freedom – in a clear breach of royal protocol. Dismissing the notion that such occasions are meant to remain private, the book describes Meghan’s first visit to ‘the inner sanctum of the Queen’s private apartment’.
‘Harry kissed his grandmother on both cheeks as they walked into her sitting room,’ the authors wrote. ‘Was she really meeting with the head of the Commonwealth? Today, however, it was just “Granny” as Harry called the Queen, who sat down on the silk, upholstered straight-back chair.’
Drinking a blend of Darjeeling and Assam tea, Meghan’s insecurities were put to rest when the Queen’s corgi and two dorgis ‘took to her right away’.
Relations with the wider Royal Family were not always so straightforward, however.
Princess Eugenie was upset when Harry and Meghan shared the news they were expecting at her wedding, the book claims.
The duchess announced she was pregnant in the spring of last year, ahead of a royal tour and when she was at just 12 weeks.
The authors wrote: ‘Family members had found out about the pregnancy just days prior, at the wedding of Harry’s closest cousin. It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie who, according to a source, told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news.’
The book also revealed that Meghan discussed her divorce with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby prior to her wedding. The two are said to have formed a ‘close bond’.
Before marrying Harry, Meghan chose to be baptised into the Church of England.
The book states Meghan’s faith is ‘extremely important to her’ adding: ‘That’s something most people don’t know about her.’
It also suggests her first marriage to TV producer Trevor Engelson failed because he ‘didn’t like’ her new-found fame after she got a role in US legal drama Suits.
‘Neither son made much of an effort’