New Book Claims Queen Elizabeth Was "Devastated" By How Harry and Meghan Stepped Back From Their Royal Roles
In a year full of juicy tell-alls, one of the most hotly anticipated is Finding Freedom, a biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by veteran royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand that promises to tell the "true story" of the Sussexes' relationship.
While the Duke and Duchess "were not interviewed and did not contribute to" the book, per a spokesperson, the text promises "unique access" and a brief statement from the publisher notes that it was "written with the participation of those closest to the couple."
This evening, the public got its first look at the biography by way of a lengthy excerpt in the Times detailing the behind-the-scenes negotiations that took place before Harry and Meghan officially transitioned out of their working roles within the royal family.
After the Sussexes' intentions to stay in Canada leaked to the press in early January, Harry and Meghan felt the need to announce their “new working model,” before Buckingham Palace was completely ready. So the couple broke the news on Instagram and launched their website, sussexroyal.com, which outlined the couple's plans for financial independence, but also a half-in, half-out model in which they could still represent the monarchy.
According to Scobie and Durand, "several in the family shared that both the Queen and Prince Philip were 'devastated'" by how the announcement went down.
"The website took everyone, even their communications team, by surprise. Aides and family members knew the couple wanted to step back, but the website, which laid out the details of their half-in-half-out model as if it were a done deal, put the Queen in a difficult position," the authors write.
There were still many negotiations to be had. Read the full excerpt here.
Finding Freedom comes out August 11 is currently available for pre-order.
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