Prince Harry Losing His Honorary Military Titles Has "Been a Tough Pill to Swallow," Reports New Book
Earlier this year, when the Sussexes negotiated their new positions within the royal family, they were required to make sacrifices for the freedoms they sought. Notably, Prince Harry had to give up all of his honorary military appointments as part of his agreement to step back from working royal life.
"As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments," reads the relevant portion of a statement issued by Buckingham Palace in January.
Now, the new biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, which was written by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, details just how painful it has been for Harry to relinquish that role.
While the Duke and Duchess "were not interviewed and did not contribute to" the book, according to a spokesperson, the biography promises "unique access" and a brief statement from the publisher explains that it was "written with the participation of those closest to the couple."
This evening, the public got its first look at Finding Freedom, when a lengthy excerpt was published in the Times, a piece which details the behind-the-scenes negotiations that took place before Harry and Meghan officially transitioned out of their working positions within the royal family.
"The most demoralising aspect of the deal was Harry being stripped of his honorary military appointments," reads the excerpt. "'That’s been a tough pill to swallow, and one that has been most painful to Meghan witness him go through,' a source close to the couple said. 'It’s the one that made Harry emotional.'"
The book also reports that Megan told a friend that the decision "was so unnecessary."
"And it’s not just taking something away from him," the Duchess said, per Scobie and Durand. "It’s also that entire military veteran community. You can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers [of the institution] are unfortunately greater than me."
Finding Freedom comes out August 11 is currently available for pre-order.
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