Prince Harry was “poised for war” as he protected Meghan Markle from criticism in early days of their relationship

New book claims that Prince Harry confronted those who questioned their romance

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Harry reportedly “cut off” those who thought to warn him against his relationship with Meghan Markle, a new book has claimed.

After Prince Harry was first linked to the American actor, it seemed that those around the prince did not all keep their opinions on his new girlfriend to themselves. 

This supposedly included Prince Harry’s older brother, Prince William. In recent months, rumours have circulated, suggesting that there is a rift between the once close royal brothers

Some have claimed that this first began to grow after the Duke of Cambridge also expressed concern over the speed in which Prince Harry and Meghan’s relationship was moving. 

Now royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have suggested in their new book, Finding Freedom, that Prince Harry felt he needed to “confront” those who cast doubt over Meghan.

How did Prince Harry defend Meghan Markle?

In Finding Freedom, the two authors reportedly wrote of how when the two first started dating, ‘Harry, sensitive to even the slightest hint of prejudice, had fallouts within his own circle’.

The book speculates that when some people ‘questioned his new relationship’ and whether Meghan was ‘suitable’, he would wonder, ‘“Is this about race? Is it snobbery?”’. 

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets children as she attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020

(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

According to Scobie and Durand: ‘An old friend of Harry’s spent an afternoon gossiping about Meghan’. The friend supposedly made ‘disparaging remarks about her Hollywood background’.

Following on from this, the authors wrote that when Harry heard word of the incident, he ‘immediately cut him off’ and that whilst Harry was willing to confront those close to him, he was ‘poised for outright war’ when it came to the media.

What did Prince William say about Meghan Markle?

Scobie and Durand have also delved into what they believe to be the reason for the so-called rift between Princes William and Harry. The royal authors suggest that it was the Duke of Cambridge’s reaction to Meghan and his use of the phrase ‘this girl’ in particular that caused upset between the two.

The book claims that Prince William said: ‘Don’t feel you need to rush this’ when discussing his brother’s new romance. 

Finding Freedom then suggests that the Duke of Cambridge added, ‘Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl’.

Prince Harry and Prince William join a training day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

(Image credit: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Live News)

The authors wrote of their belief that this choice of words was seen as ‘condescending’ by Prince Harry.

The book reportedly added that these words suggested that in these words, he heard a ‘tone of snobbishness that was anathema to his approach to the world’.

Examining Prince William’s reaction, the book reportedly suggests that ‘William may have felt he was acting out of concern’, whilst ‘Harry was offended that his older brother still treated him as if he were immature’.

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£20 at Amazon

Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may regularly make headlines, but in this enlightening novel, Scobie and Durand delve into the unknown details of the couple’s life together. 

Did Prince William and Prince Harry fall out?

Whilst the two brothers have never commented publicly upon the suggestion of a rift between them, the rumour that the two had fallen out has continued to circulate.

This was even more the case after Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping down as senior royals and moved from Frogmore Cottage to North America.

However, reports emerged that suggested following the Duchess of Sussex’s devastating miscarriage earlier this year, it was to Prince William and their father Prince Charles, that Prince Harry may have turned to for support.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!