Source:
https://scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3095536/finding-freedom-how-meghan-markle-and-prince-harry-are Celebrities
How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are following in the footsteps of royal rebel Princess Diana – revealed in new book Finding Freedom
A new unauthorised book by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand makes clear that, just as Diana was removed from the royal family and faced attempts to curb her spirit, the American star and her husband (plus baby Archie) aren’t going quietly
Royal rebels: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo: AP Photo
Bombshell revelations made in a new biography on the Sussexes, Finding Freedom, have lifted the lid on life inside the British monarchy for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Family feuds, attempts to control “the new girl” and a break from tradition has resulted in comparisons between Meghan and the late Princess Diana.
Before her death in 1997, the queen of hearts spoke candidly about life inside “the firm”, the monarchy that controlled her life for years. Like her younger son’s wife, Diana also found freedom, but not without a fight.
As Markle turns 39 on August 4, here’s five stories from the book – an unauthorised account by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand with no involvement from the Sussexes – that show how Meghan’s life mirrors Diana’s.
Family rifts
Prince Harry hinted at a rift between himself and his brother, William, during the TV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey which aired last year. Now, the newly released biography details how William apparently tried to warn Harry about Meghan and how the younger royal and his wife felt unprotected and isolated by the royal family. The revelations echo sentiments shared by those close to Diana, who over the years have described how she felt isolated and unable to trust anyone in the family.
No sisterly bond
In the 80s, Diana and Sarah Ferguson, or Fergie as she was popularly known, were often pitted against each other. Their relationship was a yo-yo: best friends one minute, rivals the next. Fast-forward to 2016, when Meghan and Harry first started dating, and you’d assume special efforts would be made to help welcome the outsider. Not so, according to the biography. The book details the awkward and polite relationship between Meghan and Kate Middleton. It explains how the two just never hit it off, leaving Meghan disappointed by the lack of warmth on the part of her sister in law.
Taming the spirit
Diana was called the rebel princess and was known for breaking royal protocols that had been in effect for decades. The book claims royal courtiers felt Meghan was too independent and had to be “reined in”. She was told to ditch her Instagram account, change her fashion sense and adhere to the royal rule of “no selfies”.
Playing the press
Journalists and paparazzi have spoken about how Diana used to call them for “picture opportunities” only later to pretend she had been unaware of what was going on. Finding Freedom alleges Meghan used to do the same while working as an actress in Canada, only to later claim she didn’t understand tabloid culture.
Fighting the monarchy
Diana was stripped of the Her Royal Highness (HRH) title after she divorced Prince Charles. Meghan and Harry have endured similar treatment, after being told they would lose the right to use their HRH titles after choosing to distance themselves from the royal family.