Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie claims palace officials ‘stopped at nothing’ to cause problems for Meghan
After months of anticipation, the behind-the-scenes account of why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the royal family is now available to buy.
Finding Freedom, written by royal reporters Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie, chronicles the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s relationship from the day they met, right up to their shock announcement in January that they would be quitting their roles in the royal family in March.
While neither Meghan nor Harry are said to have contributed to the book, Scobie and Durand spoke to more than 100 sources, including palace staff and close friends of the couple, many of whom the authors say were keen to share their side of the story.
Both authors got to know the couple through their various tours and engagements, though Scobie actually met Meghan at a fashion event in Paris in 2013 when she was still best known as an actor on the US legal drama Suits.
Such is the book’s hype, that even before publication, it has led to countless headlines. Extracts published in The Times suggested that the Duke of Cambridge was hesitant about his brother’s relationship with Meghan, and “wanted to make sure Harry wasn’t blinded by lust”, allegedly leading Harry to dub his brother a “snob”. Meghan is also said to see her father, Thomas Markle, as a media “victim”.
Ahead of the book’s publication, The Independent spoke to Scobie about some of the shock revelations in Finding Freedom and what he thinks the Sussexes will make of the book.
What made you want to write this biography?
“We had noticed time and time again that stories that appeared in the tabloid press weren’t exactly reflective of what had been going on behind the scenes. From having had conversations with palace courtiers or people close to the couple, we always realised there was more to the story.
“That was really what motivated us to get this book together, it just felt like there were a lot of things that needed to be addressed, or at least offered a different take or perspective.”
Did you try to get Harry and Meghan involved in the writing of this book and what do you make of the rumours that they were secretly involved?
“It’s important to note that this is an unauthorised biography. It was never a dream of mine to put out some cooperative one-sided version of events, that’s when you enter autobiographical territory. This distance allowed us the freedom to have candid and uncensored conversations with those who perhaps felt like the couple had made wrong decisions at times, and allowed us to bring their stories to life too.
“As for the rumours that Harry and Meghan were involved in the writing of the book/contributed to it, they are untrue. But it’s a compliment that people feel the reporting gives that much of an insight into their lives. We made a real effort to be detailed. So, when describing certain moments we would go as far as contacting the Royal Collection to ask about artwork that would have been on the walls when certain conversations took place between the couple and palace aides. It helps to set a scene.”
Why do you think people wanted to talk to you?
“A lot of people felt comfortable enough to have conversations with us because they wanted to correct the narrative. Take the rumour that Meghan and Kate fought over bridesmaids dresses before her wedding to Prince Harry.
“It’s completely false, a lot of people were frustrated by that and many other things. So they were relieved to have a space to share the information they do in the book. A lot of people felt like they were sticking up for Harry and Meghan. We never paid for sources or information, although a few individuals said they’d talk for money. “
What do you think is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about Harry and Meghan?
“I think it’s unfair that Meghan has been blamed for convincing Harry to leave the royal family. Anyone who knows Harry will know that this has always been a side of his life that he’s struggled with and it’s seemed really obvious to us that he wanted to find someone to be his partner so he could move away from that with.
“As we report in the book, Meghan was prepared to drop everything to make her role in the royal family work. It says a lot about how we talk about women in the public eye that she gets the blame. Any successful woman who is over a certain age is going to get called ‘too loud’ or ‘too problematic’, and that’s especially true if you’re a woman of colour.”
Do you think Harry would still have left the royal family even if he hadn’t been with Meghan then?
“It might have been different had he married one of his ex-girlfriends, like Cressida Bonas or Chelsy Davy, but they both made it clear it wasn’t the life for them, either. I think Meghan allowed Harry to find the confidence in his decision, but she didn’t drive it. I think he was driven by his fear of what would happen if things got worse in terms of the media coverage.”
Do you sympathise with Meghan and Harry?
“Of course I do. But clearly mistakes have been made on all sides. Their decision to step down caused a lot of hurt between them and the royal family. William in particular has continued to be hurt by that, which is why there was such a frosty moment between the two couples at the commonwealth service earlier this year. But they appear to be thriving now and what we have left is an institution that clearly hasn’t learnt from every lesson in the past."
What were you most surprised to learn while writing the book?
“It never failed to surprise me how different the real stories were to what had been reported in the tabloids. And the things that people knew that never shared. Like the tiara story - it had been reported that Meghan wanted to wear a particular tiara on the day of her wedding that prompted an argument between the Queen and Prince Harry – what we were told was that Meghan had seen the tiara she wanted and had a tantrum when she was denied it.
“Harry was then quoted as saying ‘what Meghan wants Meghan gets’. I don’t think the couple were ever really able to get away from that. What I couldn’t get over was how different the real story was from having had conversations with people at Buckingham Palace." According to a source involved in the wedding planning quoted in Finding Freedom, while there might have been talk about a different tiara, it’s not true that Meghan demanded a different one after choosing one with the Queen. “Why did no one pick up the phone to address this with the tabloids? I think the royal family’s no comment approach can be really damaging. Maybe it’s time to revise that.”
Were any of Meghan’s problems from within the palace?
“In the royal family, each household has its own staff, and they all have the interests of their bosses at heart. So when, for example, Charles is working on a project, it’s in everyone’s interest for them to prioritise that, and that may mean preventing someone else from going ahead with a project at time they want to. From what we are told, it seems as though here’s a lot of jealousy and competitiveness over popularity.
“So while it was really exciting when Meghan came in and took the royal family to a wider, more diverse stage, it also presented challenges to the other households that made them feel as if they had to compete with them. Meghan was a victim of that system. There were clearly personal agendas from people who just don’t like Meghan, whether it’s because she’s American, a woman of colour, or an actress, I don’t know. Clearly people had issues with whatever she represents and at times stopped at nothing to cause problems for her.”
Do you think there are parallels between the way Meghan and Diana were treated?
“People always describe Meghan as ‘driven’. We hear that phrase time and time again, and people said the same about Diana. But I think that’s also a term people use in a negative sense sometimes. In terms of other parallels, Meghan’s dedication to philanthropic endeavours… that was something she did before even meeting Harry.
“These are all traits we saw in Diana, but it’s also things that made Diana’s life difficult. She was different. There’s a quote in the book where sources refer to the “duchess difficult” narrative that has surrounded Meghan, and in a way Diana was “princess different”. I’m sure Harry is very aware of all of this, which is why he’s so keen to protect her. He’s seen how disastrous and tragic these paths can become.”
How do you hope the book will impact the way people view Harry and Meghan?
“Our intention isn’t for people to necessarily change how they think or feel about the couple. I just hope that the book adds another angle to this story and an insight into how the couple dealt with things behind the scenes and how their emotions [were] at play. It’s very easy to forget that these big characters we see in the media are also human beings. I really want this book to offer people a deeper understanding of what it is that drives them and to humanise them.
“The book wasn’t written for Harry and Meghan, but I believe that publication day [11 August] will be the first time they see it. I’m not going to get too caught up in trying to find out what they or other members of the royal family feel has been written.”
The Independent has contacted the palace for comment.
Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand is published by HQ, HarperCollins, and is out now in hardback, eBook and audiobook, and available to buy here
