Meghan Markle ‘fell hard’ for Prince Harry after watching him win over best pal Jessica Mulroney’s children gave her a glimpse of how he’d be as a father, their bombshell new biography Finding Freedom claims.
The book, out today and co-authored by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, claims the Duke of Sussex, 35, ‘never turned up empty-handed’ when they visited Jessica, her husband Ben and their children John, Brian and Ivy at their Toronto home.
As well as his generosity, the trio of youngsters were charmed by Harry’s willingness to get on the floor to play with them – something which also appealed to his future wife Meghan, 39.
The fledgling couple spent time with the Mulroneys, part of the Canadian political dynasty, before their relationship was made public in 2016. The book claims Harry and Meghan ‘hid out’ at the family home when the news first broke.
Meghan Markle ‘fell hard’ for Prince Harry after watching him win over former best pal Jessica Mulroney’s children gave her a glimpse of how he’d be as a father, the biography claims. Pictured, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announcing their engagement in November 2017
The Duke of Sussex ‘never turned up empty-handed’ when they visited Jessica and Brian Mulroney and their twins Brian and John and daughter Ivy, pictured together, the book claims. Seeing Prince Harry with the children helped Meghan see what he’d be like as a father
The bond between Harry, Meghan and Mulroneys was clear to see when Brian (far left), John (far right) and Ivy (next to her brother) were all given important roles in the Sussexes’ wedding. Pictured, the Mulroney children with the other page boys and flower girls, including Prince George (next to Meghan) and Princess Charlotte (left, by Meghan’s train)
The authors write: ‘It was there that Meghan got a first-hand glimpse of how Harry might be as a father, falling hard as he expertly won over the Mulroneys’ then six-year-old twins, Brian and John, and three-year-old daughter Ivy.
‘Already experienced in charming little ones, he never turned up empty-handed, instead arriving with small presents each visit.
‘But it wasn’t just his generosity that endeared him to the kids. Harry was also willing to get on the floor with them to play or smush up his face against the window, his funny expressions never failing to earn a giggle.’
The bond between Harry, Meghan and Mulroneys was clear to see when Brian, John and Ivy were all given important roles in the Sussexes’ wedding.
Brian and John were entrusted with the task of carrying Meghan’s intricate veil as she made her way up the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Finding Freedom provides an intimately detailed and personalised version of the events leading up to the Sussexes’ dramatic departure from royal life, with co-authors Scobie and Durand insisting ‘all information in this book has at least two sources’, including members of the Sussexes’ inner circle.
Former best friends Jessica and Meghan reportedly fell out after the influencer and mother-of-three became embroiled in a social media row with black influencer Sasha Exeter in June
The book reveals how Meghan and Jessica met after the then actress moved to Canada to film US legal drama Suits. Jessica helped introduce Meghan to some of her famous friends, including singer Michael Bublé.
The authors write that Jessica and her husband Brian were the city’s ‘hottest young power couple.’
They explain: ‘After the women were introduced by a local fashion publicist, jessica not only encouraged Meghan to follow the same path but also introduced her to an exciting, fizzy social scene filled with high-profile charity events, the openings of new hotspots, fabulous restaurants and fancy friends like Michael Bublé.
‘Jessica and Ben were good friends with the Canadian singer-songwriter and his wife, the Argentinian-born actress-model Luisana Lopilato, whose intimate parties at their home in Vancouver were a coveted invite.’
The book also discussed how Meghan would consult with Jessica over what to wear for important dates, including meeting the Queen.
The authors write: ‘Days before the October 12 meeting, Meghan and Jessica had discussed what an appropriate outfit would be for the all-important meeting with Jer Majesty.
Opening up: Carolyn Durand co-authored Finding Freedom with fellow royal expert Omid Scobie
‘As they foten did, they went back and forth over iMessgae with photos and voice memos.
‘At one point, Jessica kept a second phone only Meghan had the number for – it meant they could chat safety and securely without any worries about hacks.
‘After reviewing dozens of ideas, they settled on a conservative pastel dress.’
However Meghan and Jessica are understood to have grown apart in recent months after TV presenter Jessica became embroiled in a social media row with black influencer Sasha Exeter in June.
Exeter claimed Mulroney had sent her a string of unpleasant messages and threatened to ruin her career after taking offense over one of Exeter’s posts in which she called on people with large social media followings to speak out about Black Lives Matter.
The blogger also said Mulroney was guilty of using her white privilege and wealth to try and intimidate her.
Mulroney apologised but the spat led to the cancellation of her wedding themed reality TV show I Do Redo, as well as the loss of her Good Morning America fashion slot.
Mulroney’s lucrative partnership with Canadian department store Hudson Bay was also canceled and her husband Ben, 44, was forced to step back from hosting CTV entertainment show etalk.
Meghan, who is currently holed up in Tyler Perry’s LA mansion with husband Prince Harry, 35, hasn’t spoken to Mulroney since the row was made public.
Friends said Mulroney is now at her wits’ end and is considering writing a tell-all book about Meghan ‘because she has nothing to lose’.
Although Mulroney is still on a social media sabbatical, her husband Ben has scotched the rumours, declaring them ‘false’.