Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family

By Omid Scobie and Carolym Durand

Published by Harper Collins

What’s it about?

The first, epic and true story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s life together, finally revealing why they chose to pursue a more independent path and the reasons behind their unprecedented decision to step away from their royal lives, from two top royal reporters who have been behind the scenes since the couple first met. Finding Freedom is complete with full color photographs from Harry and Meghan’s courtship, wedding, Archie’s milestones, and many more unforgettable moments.

For the first time, Finding Freedom goes beyond the headlines to reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumors and misconceptions that plague the couple on both sides of the pond. As members of the select group of reporters that cover the British Royal Family and their engagements, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have witnessed the young couple’s lives as few outsiders can.

What I think:

Royal drama is one of my guilty pleasures so I must confess I had this on preorder and put my current read on pause as soon as it arrived.

If you’ve read any of the excerpts that have run in newspapers or seen the documentary that was on recently then you will already have heard most of the  “revelations”.

Harry and Meghan are generally presented in a positive light – two compassionate and driven people who fell madly in love.

There’s lots of detail about how they met and how their relationship developed. I was struck by the speed of it but like many couples, when you know, you know.

In contrast to the British tabloid coverage that repeatedly portrays Meghan as difficult and demanding she comes across as hardworking, thoughtful and conscientious. She was already committed to charity work and using what influence she had in positive ways.

The contrasts between her and Kate Middleton are inevitable. I was struck by how little time they had spent together but perhaps this is less surprising when you think about how little they have in common.

The book isn’t entirely rose-tinted. Prince Harry does seem petulant and hot-headed at times. His impatience leads to some of the couples missteps with Buckingham Palace that led to terrible press coverage. And his frustrations force Buckingham Palace to act more quickly than perhaps they had intended.

What really strikes me is how sad it is that whatever you feel about them the Royal Family has lost two senior working royals who had a tremendous impact in such a short time. The loss to the charities they were championing must be huge.

There’s a lot of speculation about how much input the Sussexes have had into the book – its hard to believe they haven’t had some, or at least allowed people to speak on their behalf as there are so many intimate details.

This is a book that will polarise readers who will no doubt already have formed opinions on individuals.

You can order Finding Freedom from:

Waterstones: click here

Amazon.co.uk: click here