Finding Freedom: Kate and Wills hit back at claims in new book

Kate Middleton and Prince William have hit back at explosive claims made overnight in new book Finding Freedom, a biography about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

According to an extract from the book, which was serialised by The Times, relations got so bad between the royal couples that Kate Middleton completely snubbed Meghan Markle at the Sussexes’ last engagement as senior members of the royal family.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England. The 100th birthday of the RAF, which was founded on on 1 April 1918, was marked with a centenary parade with the presentation of a new Queen's Colour and flypast of 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have hit back at claims they shunned Meghan Markle at the Sussexes last royal engagement. Photo: Getty Images

In March, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said farewell to their royal roles at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, with the book claiming they were left out of the royal procession at the last minute, which was a massive “disappointment” to Prince Harry.

RELATED:

The book, which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say the had no involvement in, goes on to say that the institution tried to “smooth things over” by asking the Cambridges to take their seats at the same time as the Sussexes.

This didn’t go down too well, according to the book, with the Cambridges reportedly barely looking at the Sussexes when they walked into the church.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England. The annual ceremony involving over 1400 guardsmen and cavalry, is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. The parade marks the official birthday of the Sovereign, even though the Queen's actual birthday is on April 21st.
In the book, it's claimed Meghan tried to make eye contact with Kate but got nothing back. Photo: Getty Images
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2018 in London, England.
According to the book, their relationship struggled to move past politeness. Photo: Getty Images

Despite claims it was the couples first time seeing each other since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to announce they were stepping away from their royal roles in January, it’s reported in the book: “Although Meghan tried to make eye contact with Kate, the duchess barely acknowledged her.”

Earlier on, it said Meghan and Kate’s relationship had “struggled to move past distant politeness" for the whole two years Meghan was part of the family.

Now, a close friend of William and Kate has told the Mail on Sunday that they couldn’t have been more accomodating and “rolled out the red carpet” for Meghan.

'It's just completely wrong to suggest they didn't talk and plain wrong to say the Cambridges weren't welcoming,' a friend told The Mail on Sunday.

“How can you say they weren't warm or welcoming when they hosted Meghan for Christmas, invited her into their totally private inner sanctum at Anmer Hall and did everything they could to make her feel at home? They personally cooked her favourite vegan food, they couldn't have been more welcoming,” the insider said.

(L-R) Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 11, 2019. - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been the Head of the Commonwealth throughout her reign. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom.
In January, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping away from their roles as senior royals. Photo: Getty Images

The book went on to say that things between them all had been frosty since January, when Harry and Meghan detailed their decision to step back and be financially independent, with William feeling ‘hurt’ that their private matters were made so public.

It also claims the royal rift between William and Harry began when the future king asked his younger brother if Meghan was The One and warned him to take things slow.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly felt "cut adrift" and frustrated by Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal roles before they decided to leave the UK for America according to Finding Freedom.

It also suggests they butted heads with palace courtiers, who stressed "service to the Crown" above all else, over future plans.

The book reportedly reveals that the couple was upset that William and Kate had more prestigious duties than they did.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who are described as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's "cheerleaders" say they wrote the book "with the participation of those closest to the couple".

Click here to sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest news and hacks. Or if you have a story tip, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.