It really seemed like he’d said all that he needed to say and was now solely focused on letting the dust settle – especially with a very important year ahead for the royals. But last week, Prince Harry dropped yet another bombshell, revealing that – far from keeping quiet from now on – he’s actually writing a tell-all autobiography about his life in the royal family.
And with its release set for 2022 – the year of the Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee – sources say Harry’s really overstepped the line. But while critics say it’s the worst decision he’s made so far, we’re told that Harry and wife Meghan Markle see things very differently indeed.
“Harry had wanted to do a book for a few years, but it was Meghan who really gave him the confidence to do it,” says an insider close to the Sussexes, who first opened up about the “neglect” they’d suffered at the hands of the royal family in March during that chat with Oprah, and also accused the palace of “attempting to smear” Meghan.
“She’s been telling him to get his truth out there and feels it will finally get rid of all the pain and hurt he’s been carrying around since childhood. They both accepted that there would be criticism and that the royal family wouldn’t be pleased, but this is what’s best for them. They feel that, if it’s done in the right way, then they can all get over it and start afresh.”
CHECK OUT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship timeline
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline
1 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.
3 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.'
6 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Marklec
'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.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
14 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
15 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
16 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.'
18 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
19 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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.
25 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
26 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
27 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
28 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
29 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
30 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
31 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
32 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
News of the autobiography did indeed attract a wave of criticism last week, especially as it threatens to overshadow the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, as well as Prince William’s 40th birthday and the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death later in the year.
Up until recently, general consensus was that Harry and Meghan were hoping they could mend fences with the Queen by putting a stop to all the tell-alls.
As heat has reported, they’d been invited to take part in next year’s Jubilee celebrations, and were even hoping to appear on the palace balcony at Trooping the Colour.
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But insiders say that this book has ruined any chance of a reconciliation, adding that there’s a “growing sense of shock and fury” among the royals, especially as Harry has reportedly already received $20m for the book – he’s said he’ll be donating the proceeds to charity, but hasn’t confirmed what he’ll be doing with his advance.
But while critics say this book is the Sussexes’ biggest mistake, they remain convinced it’s the only way forward. “I’m writing this not as the prince I was born, but as the man I have become,” said Harry in a statement last week. Whether he’s saying goodbye to that prince he used to be – for good this time – remains to be seen.
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