A catalogue of shocking revelations have been made about the behind-the-scenes lives of the royals in the latest book on The Firm.
Robert Jobson's 'Our King' is the latest addition set for royal biography bookshelves, divulging explosive details about King Charles' life in recent years as he saw fractures widen in the family, experienced the loss of his mother and ultimately inherited the throne. The book is set to hit shelves later this month, although several of its most shocking claims have already been leaked ahead of its release date on April 13.
From the Queen's anxiety about security to that royal walkabout in the days following her death, the Mirror has reported some of the biggest revelations dropped in Our King.
Kate's walkabout with Harry and Meghan
When the former "Fab Four" made a rare and unexpected show to greet well-wishers outside Windsor Castle two days after the Queen's death, many saw it as a move of unity. But according to close sources, the Princess of Wales had found the walkabout one of the "hardest things" she's had to do so far as she tried to put aside ill-feelings.
'Our King' writes that the display of togetherness was merely an "illusion", and that she "later admitted to a senior royal that, such was the ill feeling between the two couples, the joint walkabout was one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do". The public showing was one of several that William and Kate made in the days following the Queen's death in September 2022 as they spoke to mourners and inspected tributes left at palace gates.
Queen had meeting room swept for bugs
The library at Sandringham Palace was swept for bugs ahead of a summit to discuss Harry and Meghan's plans to quit as working royals - and not the creepy crawly kinds. According to Mr Jobson, the Queen ordered the room be given a once down in case of any potential hearing or recording devices which could result in details of the crucial talks being leaked to the press.
She chaired the meeting in January 2020 ahead of the couple's announcement they'd be standing down and moving across the Pond. Charles, William and Harry all attended the meeting, although the book claims Meghan was not there after wanting to join via video link, which the Queen refused over security fears.
Queen met with 'curt three-word reply'
Meghan's Markle's 'curt three-word' response left the Queen taken aback after she offered her some key advice, the book claims. The two are said to have sat down for a one-to-one chat at the beginning of her relationship with the Prince, in which the late monarch had told of her delight her grandson had "finally found love".
According to Mr Jobson, sources claims the Queen advised Meghan to spend some time with Sophie, Countess of Wessex, for support, to which she replied, "I've got Harry". Jobson claims the Queen was "surprised" by the remark.
Harry's outbursts "wearied" the Queen
Volatile exchanges between Harry and his brother had puzzled the Queen, the book reveals, with the late-monarch thinking he and Meghan were "quite mad". Despite her "great affection" for grandson Harry, Mr Jobson writes how the head of the royal family became "tired" listening to the couple's criticisms of the institution.
Queen Elizabeth also thought Harry was "so consumed" by his love for Meghan that it was "clouding his judgment", the royal correspondent added in his book.
Charles "wouldn't pay" for Meghan leaving Harry "infuriated"
Prince Harry was "infuriated" to be told King Charles wouldn't pay for Meghan Markle's expenses ahead of their wedding. The incident took place during a meeting between the royal princes, and Charles, in the run-up to the big day in May 2018, where the then-Prince of Wales dropped the bombshell he "couldn’t afford to pay for Meghan in the future" alongside Camilla, William and Catherine, and their young family.
The relationship between Harry and his father has broken down in recent years since quitting royal life, with the King's youngest son having made some scathing revelations in his numerous interviews and tell-all memoir, Spare. The animosity reportedly shocked Charles, the book writes.
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