Meghan Markle threatened to dump Prince Harry if he didn’t reveal their relationship to the world amid intense speculation, according to a new book.
The claim comes from an insider who says the ultimatum caused Harry to ‘freak out’ and take action to try and protect his wife from public criticism.
The allegations are written in an upcoming book, Courtiers: the Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Valentine Low, which is set to be published on October 6.
The book, being serialised in The Times, claims to detail aspects of Harry and Meghan’s relationship before they made it official in November 2016.
It tells how even before a public statement, the couple were ‘faced with hordes of journalists’ speculating on what was happening.
Meghan meanwhile told Harry if he did not do anything about this she would break things off with him.
‘A source said: “She was saying, “If you don’t put out a statement confirming I’m your girlfriend, I’m going to break up with you.”
‘Harry was in a panic. Another source said: “He was freaking out, saying, ‘She’s going to dump me.”‘
Harry is said to have contacted Jason Knauf, who was Kensington Palace communications secretary at the time, to make the announcement.
The book tells about how Harry phoned Knauf ‘demanding that he put out a statement’ which would confirm Meghan was his girlfriend and condemn the ‘racist and sexist undertones of some of the media coverage’
It goes on to say how Meghan wanted protection from the media’s invasion of her privacy.
The book claims: ‘She told Harry’s staff: “I know how the palace works. I know how this is going to play out. You don’t care about the girlfriend.”‘
On November 6 2016, Kensington Palace confirmed the relationship was official.
‘Prince Harry is worried about Ms. Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her,’ it read.
‘It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm. He knows commentators will say this is “the price she has to pay” and that “this is all part of the game”. He strongly disagrees.
‘This is not a game — it is her life and his.’
Archewell has been contacted for comment.
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