Meghan Markle was left ‘frustrated and emotional’ after a palace aide ‘scolded’ her for wearing a necklace with the initials H and M before she and Prince Harry were engaged, a source claims in their bombshell new biography Finding Freedom.
The former Suits star, 38, was spotted wearing the personalised £184 14 karat gold chain by Los Angeles-based designer Maya Brenner – believed to have been a gift from the prince – while out shopping in Toronto in December 2016.
The bold move was seen as an early indication of the seriousness of their relationship – a month after the news of their love affair emerged. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex later announced their engagement in November 2017.
In the photos snapped, Meghan looked relaxed as she appeared to smile at the cameras while carrying a bunch of flowers – days after Harry made a 1,700-mile diversion to see her on his way back to Britain from his tour of the Caribbean.
Meghan Markle was left ‘frustrated and emotional’ after a palace aide ‘scolded’ her for wearing a necklace with the initials H and M before she and Prince Harry were engaged in December 2016 (pictured), a source claims in their bombshell new biography Finding Freedom
The former Suits star, 38, was spotted wearing the personalised chain – believed to have been a gift from the prince – while out shopping in Toronto
According to a source close to the couple, following the publication of the images Meghan received a dressing down from a palace aide.
‘She was advised that wearing such a necklace only served to encourage the photographers to keep pursuing such images — and new headlines,’ they said.
During the phone call the Duchess apparently said ‘very little’, choosing instead to ‘simply listen to the counsel’.
But after hanging up, Meghan felt ‘frustrated and emotional’. The source went on: ‘While she knew the aide had good intentions, the surreal experience of having someone from her boyfriend’s office tell her what kind of jewellery to wear or not to smile at a photographer was too much.’
The £184 14 karat gold necklace featuring the letter charms was by Los Angeles-based designer Maya Brenner. Pictured: a sample from the brand’s website
Meghan wearing the H and M necklace was seen as an early indication of the seriousness of their relationship – a month after the news of their love affair emerged. They got engaged almost a year later in November 2017 (pictured)
According to the friend of the couple, ‘distraught’ Meghan then called a pal complaining: ‘I can’t win. They make out like I’m to blame for these pictures, that it looks like I’m encouraging them, that me even acknowledging the cameras may not be sending the right message.
‘I don’t know what to say. It was only yesterday that people online were saying I look miserable in pictures, because I was trying to just ignore the [photographer].’
Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, has been written by royal watchers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s ‘cheerleaders’
According to the book – excerpts of which were published in People today, Meghan was said to have ‘felt damned if she did and damned if she didn’t’.
Finding Freedom is a biography written by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who are supporters of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and have set out to ‘correct the record’ and shift the spotlight on to their charitable ventures.
It makes new claims about tensions between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family – but a source has claimed it will ‘open old wounds at a time when everyone wanted to move on.’
Speaking to Vanity Fair, the family source said: ‘I think the person who will be most upset about it all is the Queen.’
The Sussexes say they did not contribute to the book, but Scobie and Durand’s account is based on extensive insight from friends of the couple.
The explosive biography has claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘hurt’ the Queen by unilaterally mapping out their future royal roles without her approval.
Her Majesty is said to have been ‘blindsided’ by the launch of the SussexRoyal website which accompanied their Megxit announcement in January.
The biography makes new claims about tensions between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family. Pictured, attending the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9, 2020 in London
Meanwhile, The Sun previously reported that royal aides fear the new book could ‘paint Prince William as the bad guy’ and cause a fresh rift within the Royal Family, as well as result in potential repercussions for the future monarch.
Writing for Vanity Fair, royal expert Katie Nicholl added: ‘There have been claims that the book will further deepen the rift between William and Harry, who fell out around the time Harry and Meghan got engaged when William voiced concerns that the relationship was moving too quickly.
‘At one point things were so dire between the brothers that they weren’t speaking. While it is not known if the brothers have discussed the book and its findings, William will be understandably nervous about airing their grievances in public.’
The explosive biography has claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, pictured in London in March, ‘hurt’ the Queen by unilaterally mapping out their future royal roles without her approval
Calling the level of detail in the book ‘quite remarkable’ and ‘unprecedented’, Katie went on to say it was ‘clear’ the authors had spoken to ‘numerous sources’.
The book’s revelations have led to suggestions that there is no way back for the couple, who have moved to California with their one-year-old son Archie after stepping back from royal duties in January.
The couple have ‘torpedoed’ any chance of creating a new position with the help of the Queen and senior royals when their ‘trial period’ in the US ends, sources believe.
The biography is already the bestselling book on Amazon UK, two weeks ahead of its release.