Did the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Co-Create and Approve Contents of ‘Finding Freedom’?

Given the recent release of the book 'Finding Freedom' by Tim Stanley and Liam Fitzpatrick, there has been much speculation on the involvement and approval of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in its creation. In this article, we will explore the nuances of their possible involvement and what it might mean regarding their approval and cooperation.

Did They Approve the Content?

While it is clear that Harry and Meghan did not give explicit approval of the book's content, their level of involvement and apparent cooperation raises questions about their role in its creation. The book claims to be 'based on the authors own experiences as members of the royal press corps and their own independent reporting.' However, there is a significant discrepancy between this claim and what one might expect from a book written with their full cooperation.

Firstly, Harry and Meghan's known stance against media coverage contradicts the book's content, which delves deeply into their experiences with the press. Their stated goal was to move forward with a life less in the public eye, yet the book provides extensive details about their interactions with the media and the royal press corps. This discrepancy suggests that their involvement might have been more nuanced and covert.

Harry and Meghan's Involvement in the Book's Creation

There are several key points that hint at their potential involvement in the book's creation:

Knowledge of the Book's Writing: By March 2020, Meghan would have known that 'Finding Freedom' was in the works, as she invited Tim Scobie, who co-authored the book, to cover her final engagement. The fact that she extended such an invitation to a journalist who would later write about her life suggests a level of comfort and likely desire to influence the narrative. Personal Interaction with the Authors: Scobie mentions in his article that Prince Harry even gave him a "goodbye hug" after the guests had left. This gesture implies a personal connection and perhaps a level of consent or tacit approval.

These actions make it difficult to claim that the couple divorced themselves entirely from the content and creation of the book, especially given the intimate nature of the interactions.

Historical Context and Prior Precedent

Historically, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, cooperated with Diana: Her True Story, a biographical account that was favorably received. Given this precedent, it is logical to infer that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex might have followed a similar path, albeit with different motivations.

It is worth noting that semi-authorized biographies, like the one in question, are not official "authorized" biographies. They often involve a level of cooperation from the subject in exchange for greater exposure. In the case of Charles' 70th birthday biography, Robert Jobson was granted access to Charles, which resulted in a positive portrayal of the Prince. However, with the Sussexes claiming no cooperation, the discrepancy is more pronounced.

Content Discrepancies and Goals

Another critical aspect of the controversy revolves around the content of the book itself. Many of the Sussexes' complaints in 'Finding Freedom' are described as petty, suggesting that the book might have been written with a specific agenda rather than broader strategic goals. The level of detail and personal critique provided might indicate a level of cooperation or at least tacit approval from the royal couple.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is clear that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not explicitly approve the book 'Finding Freedom,' their level of involvement and the nature of their interactions with the authors raise significant questions. Given the historical context and the nature of semi-authorized biographies, it is plausible that they may have co-created or at least influenced the content to some extent. Further investigation and analysis would be necessary to fully understand the extent of their cooperation and the motivations behind their involvement.