Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘backed’ book on Megxit dismissed as a ‘soap opera’ by Buckingham Palace
A new book about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit the royals apparently has the couple’s blessing. But Buckingham Palace is not amused.
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Buckingham Palace has lashed a new book about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit royal duties in the UK as a “soap opera”.
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family claims to offer an “honest, up-close, and disarming portrait” of Prince Harry and Meghan.
The book, believed to have been rubber-stamped by the couple, portrays them in a favourable light as it explores their decision to quit royal duties.
However, according to The Sunday Times, senior member of the royal family are not impressed and say the book is rubbish.
“It was a soap opera. Everyone knows the narrative that’s coming,” a source told the paper.
“The feeling is that drama and everything that comes with it has left. Let the rest of the royal family get on with it.
“It’s just not a hot topic of conversation in the family. They have had so many books written about them that have lobbed some hefty bombs over the sides. They’re used to it.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now thought to be living in a $A28.3 million Beverly Hills mansion since moving to California after saying goodbye to the UK.
Authoured by royal journalists Omid Scobie and Catherine Durand, the “soap opera” runs to 320 pages.
A spokesman for the Sussexes said the couple were “relaxed” about the authors’ access to people “close to them”.
“There has been no organising from our side in terms of who they have spoken to. It is not an official, authorised or endorsed book.
“The authors have not had interviews with the duke and duchess. We have asked to see a copy ahead of publication.”
Meanwhile, the couple surprised a group of mental health charity workers by crashing their staff video meeting.
The virtual stream was the couple’s first joint appearance since moving into the plush LA mansion, owned by comedian and producer Tyler Perry.
Ricky Neal, from Crisis Text Line in Atlanta, whose account is now locked, shared on social media how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been guests at their staff Zoom meeting.
He said on Instagram: “It’s not everyday that Meghan and Harry jump into your staff meeting & champion the work you do! Blessed to still be working during these crazy times!”
MEGHAN ‘KEPT DIARY FOR BOMBSHELL BOOK’
Meghan Markle kept a diary during her time in the UK which could pave the way for a bombshell memoir, a friend claims.
The 38-year-old penned the journal which is likely to tell the story of her journey from American actress to member of the British Royal Family, according to The Sun.
Royal biographer Andrew Morton, who wrote Diana: Her True Story and Meghan: Hollywood Princess, said a first-person account – based on her diary – would “give her total control”.
He told the Daily Mail: “She is a good writer, with a nice turn of phrase.
“Remember she studied English in her first year at Northwestern College.”
A memoir based on her journals would give Markle a chance to tell the story in her own way, with Morton adding: “She would have total control.”
Writing appears to be one on Meghan’s passions and it seems likely that she will venture into print one day.
The Duchess of Sussex guest-edited British Vogue in September 2019, and also wrote a lifestyle blog called The Tig before she married Prince Harry.
In another blog, The Working Actress, she wrote anonymously: “My hair is primped, my face is painted, my name is recognised, my star meter is rising, my life is changing.”
And this summer, a new bombshell book, Finding Freedom, has promised to reveal the “unknown details” of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s life.
The book, written by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, has been billed as going “beyond the headlines” and will be released worldwide on August 11.
Reports suggest Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want the biography to come out as soon as possible to set the record straight about their exit from royal life.
The Duchess of Sussex is said to hope the upcoming book will show they had “no choice but to quit as royals”.
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Markle’s friends told the Mail she “desperately wants to shatter this image of being a demanding diva who was rude to royal staffers and others on her quest for fame and power.”
The source added: “She said the book will help give her and Harry a clean slate. Meghan seems to think that readers will finally understand the monumental anguish and turmoil she had to endure with a stiff upper lip.
“Meghan said people need to see her vulnerable side, something the book does in great detail.
“I think [Meghan] wants people to feel sorry for her, or at least have compassion for her and all she’s been through, which has been anything but a fairy tale.”
The couple relocated to California at the end of March following a brief stint in Canada – and are now rumoured to be living in Hollywood tycoon Tyler Perry’s luxury home.
In a continued bid for a more private life, the pair recently put privacy screens around the house.
They were reportedly introduced to Perry through Oprah Winfrey, who they are also working with for an exclusive new documentary series.
This story first appeared in The Sun and is republished with permission.
Originally published as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘backed’ book on Megxit dismissed as a ‘soap opera’ by Buckingham Palace