11 Claims From Finding Freedom That You Should Know About

Simply put, Meghan and Kate "had nothing in common" and "just didn't know each other very well" according to the authors, they had just “struggled to move past the distant politeness of when they first met.”

“Their relationship hadn’t progressed much since she was Harry’s girlfriend,” the book states. “Although Meghan might have understood Kate’s wariness to strike up a meaningful friendship, they were still no closer by the time she was a fellow senior working member of the royal family and the wife of William’s brother. Flowers for her birthday were nice, but Meghan would far rather have had Kate check in on her during the most difficult times with the press.”

The book also addresses the rumour that Meghan made Kate cry during a bridesmaid fitting, which apparently wasn't the case at all. "Some of the children weren't cooperating, and there was a lot going on. Everyone tried to help where they could, but it's never easy with fittings," the biography reads. "And in the end, the fitting was fine. Kate and Meghan were both a little stressed, but professional in the room, and there were other people there."

Specific names aren't mentioned, but "at least two other family members also voiced concerns to each other over the pace at which Harry's relationship had moved," the book claims. It's alleged that a senior royal referred to Meghan as "Harry's showgirl", and another was reportedly heard telling an aide that "she comes with a lot of baggage," per the book extract published inThe Times.

Another manifestation of this, the book suggests, was Christmas 2017, when Princess Michael of Kent reportedly wore a blackamoor brooch. "When it comes to royal fashion, much thought goes into every detail," the authors note. "Princess Michael's choice of brooch could have simply been a mistake, but in the back of Meghan's mind, she wondered if there wasn't a message being sent in the pin of the torso of an African man wearing a gold turban and ornate clothing."

Princess Michael of Kent since apologised for the choice, but "regardless, the damage had been done, particularly since the Queen's purpose had been to make Meghan, who had just moved to England, feel at home for the holidays."

This claim apparently comes from a friend of Meghan, who alleged that Harry said "I love you" first (Meghan reciprocated). "From there it didn't take long for them to begin talking in non-oblique terms about their future," the authors quote.

Durand and Scobie also say that Meghan teased her relationship with Harry on Instagram, posting a photo of a Love Hearts sweet saying 'Kiss Me', alongside the caption "Lovehearts in #London" on the night of one of their dates in the city.

It's also said that she followed user @Spikemau5 before their relationship was revealed, which is believed to be Harry's private Instagram. "Spike apparently came from a Facebook alias that he used — Spike Wells — while the second half of the moniker was a nod to one of his favourite DJs, Deadmau5," the book reads.

When Harry and Meghan were dating, the "sustainability of their relationship" was reportedly questioned by the Prince's inner circle of friends. The authors say that Harry wondered whether the remarks and critiques "came from a place of prejudice" and that he felt "extremely protective of Meghan", and was shocked by the way she was treated by both those in his own circle and in the press.

They also write that Harry cut a friend off after they allegedly were heard "making disparaging marks about [Meghan's] Hollywood background."

The book notes: "Meghan felt as though some of the commentary and tabloid stories were more than a culture clash; they were sexist and prejudiced… Racism takes a different form in the UK from in America, but there is no mistaking its existence and how ingrained it is."

The book also claims that before their wedding, Harry accused Angela Kelly, the Queen’s personal assistant and wardrobe/jewellery curator, of “purposefully ignoring Meghan” when she tried to arrange a time to try on the wedding tiara. In the end, the authors say, he spoke to his grandmother to resolve the situation.

Allegedly telling Harry not to be "blinded by lust," William was said to be "keen to make sure that Meghan had the right intentions with Harry," per the book extract. The authors write that William also told his brother "not to rush things" with Meghan, and to "take as much time as you need to get to know this girl."

Apparently, the "this girl" remark annoyed Harry, leading him to describe William as a "snob".

The Sussex rebrand earlier this year, laying out their departure from Royal life with a "half-in half-out" plan, "as if it were a done deal, put the Queen in a difficult position," according to the authors.

"The family is very private and bringing it into the public domain when they were told not to, hurt the Queen," the book reads.

Nevertheless, her Majesty and Harry are still close. While she is said to have been "devastated" by the news, the book states that "the Queen was still one of the most important women in [Harry’s] life’". The authors reveal details of a lunch between the Queen and Harry earlier this year, with "No titles… Just granny and grandson... As they tucked into a roast lunch, the Queen made it clear to Harry that she would always support him in whatever he decided to do."

Taken on holiday in Jamaica in March 2017, where the couple had travelled for a wedding of one Harry's close childhood friends, the book says a paparazzi photographer was “promptly tossed out of the resort, but not before capturing the couple in a steamy embrace on their private balcony”.

Harry was said to be “apoplectic” with anger, and while Buckingham Palace's press team ensured the balcony photos were never published — pictures of Meghan and Harry on the beach on the same trip did make the press.

While the couple announced their pregnancy officially on October 15, 2018, the book reports that they told the Royal family three days earlier, on the day of Princess Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank.

“It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who a source said told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news," Finding Freedom states.

While the breakdown of Meghan's relationship with her father was much publicised in the lead up to her wedding, the book confirms that she now no longer recognises him as "the man who raised her”.

On the birth of her son, Archie, the book reports that Meghan's mother texted her ex-husband with the news: “[Meghan] did not want him to find out after the rest of the world. But she didn’t want to know whether her father replied to her mother’s text.”

While it was widely reported that the Sussexes had to let Archie's night nurse go early, the book claims they made this call during her second shift. "Meghan and Harry felt they were forced to let the nurse go in the middle of her second night of work for being unprofessional."

"The new parents went on to hire a second night nurse, who did a fine job, but because of the incident with the first nurse, neither found themselves comfortable sleeping through the night without going to check on Archie regularly. After a few weeks, they decided to take on nights themselves and went without a night nurse entirely."

The book also notes that the couple did not want a house full of staff. "Harry had seen that situation at Prince William's home (the Cambridge's had a live-in housekeeper and a full-time, live-in nanny) and didn't want the same for his own family," the authors claim. "He and Meghan liked the idea that when they went to bed at night, it was just the three of them in the house. Cosy and private."

The authors say Harry was won over by Meghan's relaxed nature on a camping trip to Botswana, six weeks after their first date. "Harry was delightfully surprised by Meghan's down-to-earth attitude," the book states. "While camping she cleaned her face with baby wipes and happily wandered into the woodlands if she needed a bathroom break." The chapter also details the couple's breakfast habits on the trip – fruit for Meghan, bacon and eggs for Harry – as well as how Meghan encouraged Harry to try yoga and meditation while they were there.

Meanwhile, it turns out Meghan fell for Harry's use of emojis. After their initial meeting, according to the book: "His messages were often short and full of emojis, in particular the ghost emoji, which he often used instead of a smiley face… For what reason? Nobody knows. But Meghan found his texting etiquette funny and adorable, just like the prince."