Finding Freedom: Fans question Meghan and Harry’s involvement in new book - NEWS.com.au

Finding Freedom, the bombshell new book about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has been released overnight.

The book by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durant contains a host of fresh revelations about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit royal life, a rare glimpse into their beginnings and unique access to their inner circle.

But while the couple have denied involvement in the novel, some readers are sceptical given the extremely detailed descriptions of private moments between the pair.

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Ever since the upcoming title was announced in May, speculation has grown about the biography which promised to “reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumours and misconceptions that plague the couple on both sides of the pond.”

Both Scobie and Durand and a spokesman for the Sussexes’ vigorously made the point that the Duke and Duchess were not interviewed.

According to the authors, they did speak to 100 sources including “close friends of Harry and Meghan’s, royal aides and palace staff (past and present)” meaning that this is a very credible project.

Adding to this is the fact that Harry and Meghan, according to their spokesman back in May, were “relaxed” about the authors’ access to those myriad friends and staffers.

On its first day of release, however, some fans are questioning how involved the couple actually were in the writing process, given the extremely personal details, as well as their seemingly close relationship with the authors.

Finding Freedom details the couple’s initial courtship, from their first date in a London members club, to how Harry was “delighted” by Meghan’s willingness to use the great outdoors as a toilet during a camping trip.

It also delves into how, after reading highly critical comments about himself and his wife online, Harry’s “stomach tied into the same knot every time he saw these sorts of comments”.

The book is packed with titbits revealing how the royal couple felt about certain events such as Meghan being branded Duchess Difficult, Princess Michael’s wearing of a Blackamoor brooch at a pre-Christmas lunch and how Harry felt about his friend’s treatment of his new wife.

In one chapter, the authors describe Meghan’s final meeting with 22 students from Association of Commonwealth Universities. which she had taken over as patron from the Queen, in March during their final series of royal engagements.

The authors describe how Meghan was emotional at the event held at Buckingham Palace and hugged everyone in the room, “including an author of this book”.

In its earlier pages, it reveals how Meghan had told Scobie “it didn’t have to be this way” as they shared (another) hug on her last day at Buckingham Palace.

Cynics have also questioned why the couple, who are fighting a court battle with the Mail on Sunday over the publication of a private letter, have allowed such personal insights to be published without legal repurcussions.

Here’s how fans of the couple and the royal world have reacted to the book so far:

Others were far more sympathetic, and were shaken by the revelations about the royal family.

Some published excerpts to express their disbelief over the claims surrounding how Meghan and Harry were treated.

In one chapter, Scobie and Durand reveal Meghan had to undergo “kidnapping training” before the royal wedding given the severity of the “stomach-churning” threats she began to receive.

In another, the authors comment on Harry’s upbringing in shadow of his older brother William, second in line to the throne, with whom he is now believed to be locked in a rift.

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It’s been widely reported the royal couple gave their blessing for the biography, despite not giving direct interviews.

While a spokesman for Harry and Meghan said the pair did not contribute to Finding Freedom, he did not deny content that was included in early extracts from the book published by The Times.

The spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not interviewed and did not contribute to Finding Freedom.

“This book is based on the authors’ own experiences as members of the royal press corps and their own independent reporting.”

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2020-08-11 15:01:41Z
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