Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's major announcement left King Charles feeling crushed after receiving only 20 minutes' notice, according to a book published by the royal family. The book, titled "Finding Freedom," reveals that in July 2016, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first crossed paths and made their relationship public in November of the same year. In their book, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who have close ties to the Sussexes, explain that Prince Charles was in the midst of his tour in the Persian Gulf, preparing for a meeting with the King of Bahrain when Harry and Meghan announced their relationship.
The authors state that Prince Charles's team had meticulously planned the tour, hoping for significant media coverage. However, Charles was devastated when Harry and Meghan not only confirmed their relationship but also criticized the press. He feared that the announcement would overshadow his tour and draw attention away from it. The Mirror reported that Harry gave his father only 20 minutes' notice before issuing a statement confirming his connection with Meghan.
The timing of the announcement was crucial, as it threatened to diminish the coverage of Prince Charles's Gulf tour. The book also highlights how Harry confronted anyone who questioned his relationship, frequently wondering if judgments were based on race or snobbery. Additionally, the authors delve into the bond between Prince Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana, and mention instances where Harry distanced himself from friends who gossiped about Meghan. The book claims Prince Harry was ready to engage in a full-scale conflict with the media.
Despite being disappointed by the timing of Harry's announcement, Prince Charles understood that the situation with Meghan had reached a tipping point. This acknowledgment came in light of Harry's decision to step back from royal duties and his subsequent criticisms of the monarchy. The relationship between the future king and his younger son has deteriorated over time.
In the coming days, Prince Harry is scheduled to visit London to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games on May 8. He will attend a service of gratitude at St. Paul's Cathedral, where he is expected to deliver a reading. It remains uncertain whether he will have a reunion with his father, as they have not seen each other since February, when Harry briefly returned to the UK after the public announcement of Prince Charles's cancer diagnosis. During that visit, they spent only 45 minutes together, and Harry spent a mere 24 hours in his home country.
Sources close to the situation have dismissed speculations of a reconciliation between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, who reportedly still feels a sense of betrayal. The Daily Beast reports that there is currently no communication between the couples, and it is unlikely to resume, especially when Catherine (Duchess of Cambridge) is in a vulnerable state.
