She has a history of putting pen to paper – both officially and unofficially – and going out of her way to “control her own narrative”. So, really, it’s no surprise that Meghan Markle is beginning the new year with literary aspirations.
According to insiders, the 40 year old is planning her memoir, which would “correct false stories and serve as a credible version of events” – and she might even release it before Prince Harry drops his first book in late 2022 (he’s signed a four-book deal in total).
Either way, it means that we’ve got a busy year of Sussex-themed book club meetings ahead.
“Harry’s book is being fine-tuned while he settles into US life,” says an insider close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who haven’t looked back since quitting the UK for LA – along with their two children, Archie, two, and seven-month-old Lilibet – and signing lucrative business and media deals along the way.
“The thinking is that Meghan could release her own memoir several months earlier, because she’s a quick writer and will take a different tone to Harry. She’s well aware of other biographies and documentaries being made about her and wants to control the narrative. It’s a question of when, not if – and she won’t be afraid to ruffle a few feathers in the royal family with it.”
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship from the start
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
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The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
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In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
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It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
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The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
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Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
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Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
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The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
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In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
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On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
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The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
Look! More news!
This is the text Meghan Markle sent to a friend after meeting Prince Harry
Meghan’s literary pursuits are nothing new. In June 2021, she released her first children’s book The Bench – less than a year after she penned her emotional opinion piece, The Losses We Share, for The New York Times. She also used to run and write her own lifestyle website The Tig, which she deactivated after meeting Harry.
Then, of course, there are the unofficial book dealings. In November 2021, she admitted to knowing that her then-press secretary Jason Knauf had given information about her and Harry to the authors of the book Finding Freedom, an unauthorised biography about the pair, despite previously insisting they’d had no involvement in the book. Meghan also admitted to writing a very personal letter to her father with the understanding that it could end up being published.
Last month, despite these bombshells, Meghan won her privacy battle against the Mail On Sunday, later saying in a statement, “This is a victory not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what’s right.” According to our source, she’s been buoyed by this victory to keep putting “her truth” out there and claim authority – and authorship – of her own story.
“From Meghan’s perspective, the plus side of fast-tracking the book is that it will serve as a definitive, credible version of events,” we’re told. “She wants to defend herself and state the facts as she sees them. Besides, she has great confidence in her ability as a writer. She has a crisp and articulate style that is a publisher’s dream. Meghan’s currently weighing up the pros and cons with regards to the timing of the book, but Harry’s all for it.”
As heat has told you, both Harry and Meghan have been embracing the freedom they’ve had to speak out on TV shows and podcasts, in print, and in impassioned speeches – something they could not easily do as senior royals. In March last year, they accused Buckingham Palace of “perpetuating falsehoods” about them, and haven’t kept quiet since when it comes to telling their side of the story. It’s been reported that Harry’s already pocketed a $20m advance for his four-book deal, which will tell the story of his life “not as the prince I was born, but as the man I have become”. So, with money like that on the table, it’s understandable that Meghan – or the Duchess she’s become – is following suit.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.