Three shocking details from new book about Harry and Meghan

A royal scandal is brewing ahead of the release of 'Finding Freedom', a book about Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.

The book, which was written by royal correspondents Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie, shares intimate details about the couple and what drove them to quit their duties as senior royals. 

Several sources close to the couple and the royal family were reportedly interviewed to uncover what really happened behind the scenes. 

How their romance started

Meghan and Harry's romance began in July 2016, when a mutual friend set them up on a blind date. They had their first date at London's Soho House. 'Finding Freedom' claims that Harry did not kiss Meghan after their three-hour date, but immediately made plans to meet up again the next day. “Harry knew they would be together at that point. She was ticking every box fast,” an excerpt from the book reads, according to Elle. 

Their third date was a surprise trip to one of Harry's favourite destinations, Botswana. The royal allegedly told Meghan to fly to the UK and he would take care of everything. The trip proved to be life-changing. "They were each already dancing around the idea that this just may be a forever thing," a friend claimed. 

Three months into their relationship, Harry told Meghan he loved her. The prince was allegedly the first to say the L-word. But Meghan was equally smitten.

"For Meghan, she was all in. Nothing could get her to slow down, not even a friend who cautioned her about getting involved with Harry,” claims the book. 

Prince William and Kate's reservations about Meghan

Prince William and his wife Kate allegedly gave Meghan a chilly reception. Harry's older brother, according to 'Finding Freedom', told him: "Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl." 

Meghan's relationship with Kate also had a few bumps in the road, but the book denied claims that the Duchess of Sussex made her sister-in-law cry in the build up to her May 2018 wedding. 

"There were reports that, before the wedding, Meghan had left Kate in tears following a bridesmaid fitting for Princess Charlotte... There were reports that claimed Meghan’s 'strict demands' caused Kate to cry. Several aides across the royal households now confirm that there was no fitting that left the Duchess of Cambridge in tears," Harper's Bazaar quoted. 

The book further claimed that Kate "did little to bridge the divide" among the 'Fab Four', and by the time of their final official engagement together, the duchesses were not the best of friends.

Social media users noted that the Duchess of Cambridge avoided making eye contact with the couple during their awkward Commonwealth Day reunion. 

Their shocking royal exit

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shocked the world when they announced in January 2020 that they would be stepping back from their roles as senior royal family members. The couple said they made the decision "after many months of reflection and internal discussions". 

According to 'Finding Freedom', Harry and Meghan felt "unprotected" by 'The Firm', particularly when it came to harsh media scrutiny - which some described as racist. The couple allegedly suspected that royal staff were leaking information about them to the press. 

A source claimed that some courtiers did not like the American actress and "would stop at nothing to make her life difficult." 

One royal courtier allegedly said about Meghan: "There's just something about her I don't trust."

ALSO READ: Meghan Markle makes a fashionable exit from royal duties

While some reports suggest Meghan and Harry were involved in the controversial book, the Duke and Duchess are adamant that they did not give any information or interviews to the authors. 

'Finding Freedom' is set for release on August 11, and is available for pre-order on Loot. 

ALSO READ: Harry and Meghan file lawsuit over paparazzi photos of their son

Main image courtesy of  Instagram/@sussexroyal