We are now just a few weeks away from the release of Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family. The tell-all biography, which hits shelves on Aug. 11, comes from authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
Billed as a book that "goes beyond the headlines," Finding Freedom is expected to share the "true story" of the royal exit and Harry and Meghan's time together, with emphasis on refuting the "rumors and misconceptions that plague the couple." Here's the latest on what insiders say about the book, and whether or not it is authorized.
Report: Buckingham Palace insiders are concerned bio will "settle scores"
A new Daily Mail report has revealed that Buckingham Palace insiders fear that the "resentful" couple will use the biography to "settle scores" with the royal family. They've also sought to cast doubt on Finding Freedom's legitimacy by calling Scobie and Durand, who are royal journalists, "cheerleaders" for the Sussexes.
This description appears to take issue with the angle of the biography, which looks to present a favourable portrait of Harry and Meghan's relationship, royal lives, royal exit, and new direction. But the big question remains: Is the biography authorized by the couple?
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Is Harry & Meghan's book Finding Freedom authorized?
Per HarperCollins, Finding Freedom came about "with unique access" and was "written with the participation of those closest to the couple." But the publisher offers no implication that the Sussexes have authorized the work.
At this time, other reports have offered varying details on the Duke and Duchess's potential involvement with the book. But all indicators suggest that Finding Freedom will not come with an authorized label.
Nonetheless, Daily Mail reported that while in its early stages, the project came to the awareness of Harry and Meghan, who were initially concerned about it. After that time, the couple's staff members reportedly met with the authors to gauge the book's purpose, and Harry and Meghan allegedly may have spoken to them as well.
"When they realised that [Finding Freedom] was likely to be quite the hagiography anyway, it seems the Sussexes decided to kill it with kindness," Daily Mail reported.
Likewise, at no time have Harry or Meghan publicly acknowledged or promoted the book. But even if Finding Freedom doesn't arrive with their authorization, it still promises to deliver on major revelations and use its unique access to craft a portrait of the "confident, influential, and forward-thinking couple who are unafraid to break with tradition."
The book will be published on Aug. 11, and first extracts will reportedly arrive over the July 25-26 weekend. Earlier reports noted that Finding Freedom will delve into Harry's unhappiness and his plans—rather than Meghan's—for driving the decision to step down from senior royal duties.
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