A new book detailing the life of King Charles is set to be released ahead of the Coronation later this year and delivers several new bombshell claims about the royal family. The book, Our King Charles III: the Man and the Monarch, is written by royal correspondent Robert Jobson.
It details Charles' relationship with Prince Harry and Prince William, as well as insight into the Queen's final days at Balmoral. The book focuses on Charles' life as he navigates becoming King following the death of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II as well as the fractured relationships between Harry and Meghan and William and Kate, reports the Mirror.
Here we look at some of the biggest bombshell claims in the book...
Royals were 'shocked by Harry's behaviour' as Queen died
One of the biggest bombshells published in the book is that Prince Harry's demands in the hours before the Queen's death left other royals "shocked". The Duke of Sussex was visiting the UK to attend the WellChild Awards when the late Monarch suddenly fell ill.
Harry was one of many senior royals that raced to Balmoral castle to be beside the Queen before her passing. He did not make it in time to say goodbye to his grandmother, and found out she had died from the BBC News website.
The book claims: "Close sources said he had decided not to fly up to Scotland with his brother and uncles after a disagreement over his wife, Meghan. When Harry insisted that she should accompany him, it was his father who told him she couldn't come."
Harry's demands are said to have "not gone down well" with the family who were "shocked by his behaviour".
Queen met with 'curt three-word reply' from Meghan Markle
It is also claimed Meghan left the late Queen surprised with her "curt, three-word" response after she offered her some key advice. The two are said to have sat down for a one-to-one chat at the beginning of her relationship with Harry, in which the late monarch had told of her delight her grandson had "finally found love".
According to 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.
Queen had Sandringham Summit meeting room 'swept for bugs'
One part of the book covers the Sandringham Summit, where the late Queen, Charles, and William joined with Harry to discuss his and Meghan's deal ahead of stepping down as senior royals. According to Jobson, the Queen had the room swept for bugs in case of any potential hearing or recording devices which could have resulted 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 as senior working royals. Charles, William, and Harry all attended the meeting, and the book claims Meghan wanted to attend via video link but the request was denied over security fears.
William's 'drastic strategy to deal with Harry'
The new book also looks at the aftermath of Harry and Meghan's bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, where the pair made a series of accusations against The Firm. According to Jobson, the interview shattered all trust between Harry and his family, which led to William employing a drastic new tactic to deal with the "renegade royals".
Jobson writes: "What concerned both Charles and his eldest son was Harry's total lack of discretion; neither felt they could fully trust him again and they decided not to meet him alone in future."
Harry's outbursts 'wearied' Queen
The book claims that the Queen was confused over the volatile texts between Harry and his brother, and described the Sussexes as "quite mad". Despite her "great affection" for grandson Harry, Jobson writes how the former head of the royal family became "tired" listening to the couple's criticisms of the institution.
Elizabeth II also thought Harry was "so consumed" by his love for Meghan that it was "clouding his judgment", the royal correspondent adds in his book.
Prince Harry 'swore at Charles' in a fiery row over funds
The book details an explosive incident where Harry allegedly swore at his father King Charles during a heated phonecall about money. The Duke reportedly lost his temper after his demands for funds were not met, and proceeded to have a foul-mouthed phone call with Charles to vent his frustrations.
The Duke of Sussex had been contacting the late Queen to discuss financial matters, but she reportedly grew 'weary and tired' of her grandson.The late Queen it is claimed told Harry to go directly to his father instead, but it all ended in disaster when tempers flared during a phone call due to disagreements over money.
"Prince Charles simply stopped taking Harry's calls after his son swore at him and repeatedly asked for funds," according to Jobson. "When the Queen asked Charles why he hadn't given in, he told her that he wasn't a bank."
Kate's walkabout with Harry and Meghan was 'hardest thing'
Detailing the aftermath of the Queen's death, Jobson writes about the Fab Four reunion when Harry and Meghan joined William and Kate for a Windsor walkabout to meet well wishers. At the time, many saw it as a show of unity from the warring couples, but according to palace sources, the Princess of Wales had found the walkabout one of the "hardest things" she's had to do.
Jobson writes in Our King 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".
Harry and Meghan's titles being stripped 'discussed at highest level'
The book also claims that Harry and Meghan having their Sussex titles stripped was "discussed at the highest level". Harry and his wife have levelled serious criticisms against their royal relatives in the likes of their bombshell Netflix series and in Harry's controversial memoir Spare.
According to Jobson, the idea of stripping them of their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex was discussed. However, he adds: "The King is said not to be in favour of it, but other senior royals are less indulgent. Only time will tell."
Royal staff 'joked Harry was Meghan's hostage'
One of the most sensational claims in the book is that cruel royal insiders described Harry as "Meghan’s hostage". They are also said to have claimed Harry had Stockholm Syndrome - where victims develop feelings for their captors - in jokes made behind the couple’s back.
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