Prince Harry told Meghan Markle that he loved her three months after they had started dating, prompting the couple to discuss their future together “in non-oblique terms”, a new book has claimed.
Finding Freedom, an upcoming biography on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is due to be released on 11 August and has been serialised by The Times and The Sunday Times.
Co-authored by royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, excerpts from the book have claimed that the Duke of Cambridge “wanted to make sure Harry wasn’t blindsided by lust“ in the early stages of his relationship with Meghan, in addition to asserting that rumours of a feud between the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex were unfounded.
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Meghan and Prince Harry first met in London in July 2016 after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance.
According to a friend of the duchess, it only took a few months for the couple to profess their love for one another.
“For Meghan, she was all in. Nothing could get her to slow down, not even a friend who cautioned her about getting involved with Harry,” the co-authors of Finding Freedom state.
“Three months into their relationship, a Meghan friend said [sic], they had already begun swapping the words ‘I love you’.”
The book claims that Harry said “I love you” first, with Meghan “immediately” replying “I love you, too”.
“From there it didn’t take long for them to begin talking in non-oblique terms about their future,” it adds.
1/55 September 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country
Invictus Games Foundation/Getty
2/55 November 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement
AFP/Getty
3/55 November 2017
Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring
AFP via Getty
4/55 December 2017
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King’s Lynn
Getty
5/55 January 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio
Getty
6/55 January 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales
AFP via Getty
7/55 January 2018
The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle
AFP via Getty
8/55 February 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine
AFP
9/55 February 2018
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation
Getty
10/55 March 2018
Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
AFP via Getty
11/55 March 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast’s most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple’s first joint visit to Northern Ireland
AFP via Getty
12/55 April 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath
AFP via Getty Images
13/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry
Getty
14/55 May 2018
Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding
AFP via Getty
15/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding
AFP via Getty
16/55 May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony
AFP via Getty
17/55 May 2018
Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession
AFP via Getty
18/55 May 2018
The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House
AFP via Getty
19/55 June 2018
Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire
Getty
20/55 June 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Horseguards parade
AFP via Getty
21/55 July 2018
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF
Chris Jackson/Getty
22/55 July 2018
Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
Getty
23/55 August 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of “Hamilton” backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre
Getty
24/55 September 2018
Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London
Getty
25/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
Getty
26/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney
AFP via Getty
27/55 October 2018
Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple’s arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo
AFP via Getty
28/55 October 2018
Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo
AFP via Getty
29/55 October 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne’s beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach
Getty
30/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a “Fluro Friday” session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach
AFP
31/55 October 2018
The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach
AFP via Getty
32/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Getty
33/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand
Getty
34/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua
AFP via Getty
35/55 November 2018
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey
Getty
36/55 February 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat
AFP via Getty
37/55 March 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London
Getty
38/55 March 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London
AFP via Getty
39/55 May 2019
A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading “Congratulations Harry and Meghan It’s a Baby Boy!”
AFP via Getty
40/55 May 2019
Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
AFP via Getty
41/55 May 2019
Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May
Getty
42/55 May 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son
AFP via Getty
43/55 June 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport’s first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019
Invictus Games Foundation/Getty
44/55 July 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London
AFP via Getty
45/55 September 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the “Justice desk”, an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city
AFP via Getty
46/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of “Waves For Change” NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. “Waves For Change” NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities
AFP via Getty
47/55 September 2019
The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district
AFP via Getty
48/55 September 2019
The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship
Getty
49/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town
AFP via Getty
50/55 September 2019
The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa — their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born
AFP via Getty
51/55 October 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015
Getty
52/55 October 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle
Getty
53/55 December 2019
Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year
SussexRoyal/PA
54/55 January 2020
Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada
Getty
55/55 January 2020
Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family
AFP via Getty
1/55 September 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country
Invictus Games Foundation/Getty
2/55 November 2017
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement
AFP/Getty
3/55 November 2017
Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring
AFP via Getty
4/55 December 2017
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King’s Lynn
Getty
5/55 January 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio
Getty
6/55 January 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales
AFP via Getty
7/55 January 2018
The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle
AFP via Getty
8/55 February 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine
AFP
9/55 February 2018
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation
Getty
10/55 March 2018
Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
AFP via Getty
11/55 March 2018
Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast’s most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple’s first joint visit to Northern Ireland
AFP via Getty
12/55 April 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath
AFP via Getty Images
13/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry
Getty
14/55 May 2018
Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding
AFP via Getty
15/55 May 2018
Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding
AFP via Getty
16/55 May 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony
AFP via Getty
17/55 May 2018
Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession
AFP via Getty
18/55 May 2018
The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House
AFP via Getty
19/55 June 2018
Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire
Getty
20/55 June 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen’s Birthday Parade, ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Horseguards parade
AFP via Getty
21/55 July 2018
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF
Chris Jackson/Getty
22/55 July 2018
Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club
Getty
23/55 August 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of “Hamilton” backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre
Getty
24/55 September 2018
Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London
Getty
25/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
Getty
26/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney
AFP via Getty
27/55 October 2018
Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple’s arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo
AFP via Getty
28/55 October 2018
Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo
AFP via Getty
29/55 October 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne’s beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach
Getty
30/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a “Fluro Friday” session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach
AFP
31/55 October 2018
The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach
AFP via Getty
32/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Getty
33/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand
Getty
34/55 October 2018
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua
AFP via Getty
35/55 November 2018
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey
Getty
36/55 February 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat
AFP via Getty
37/55 March 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London
Getty
38/55 March 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London
AFP via Getty
39/55 May 2019
A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading “Congratulations Harry and Meghan It’s a Baby Boy!”
AFP via Getty
40/55 May 2019
Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
AFP via Getty
41/55 May 2019
Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May
Getty
42/55 May 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son
AFP via Getty
43/55 June 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport’s first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019
Invictus Games Foundation/Getty
44/55 July 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London
AFP via Getty
45/55 September 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the “Justice desk”, an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city
AFP via Getty
46/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of “Waves For Change” NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. “Waves For Change” NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities
AFP via Getty
47/55 September 2019
The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district
AFP via Getty
48/55 September 2019
The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship
Getty
49/55 September 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town
AFP via Getty
50/55 September 2019
The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa — their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born
AFP via Getty
51/55 October 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015
Getty
52/55 October 2019
Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle
Getty
53/55 December 2019
Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year
SussexRoyal/PA
54/55 January 2020
Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada
Getty
55/55 January 2020
Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family
AFP via Getty
While the duke and duchess strove to keep their relationship private, the former Suits actor reportedly left “clues” about their romance on social media, the book states.
This trail of supposed clues reportedly included sharing a photograph of a Love Hearts sweet on Instagram inscribed with the words “Kiss Me”, alongside the caption” Lovehearts in London”, on the night the pair went on a date together.
The duchess also followed an Instagram account with the username “Spikeymau5”, which was purportedly a private account used by Prince Harry.
According to the book’s co-authors, “Spike” came from an alias that he used on Facebook called “Spike Wells”, while “mau5” came from the name of one of his favourite DJs Deadmau5.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not interviewed and did not contribute to Finding Freedom. This book is based on the authors’ own experiences as members of the royal press corps and their own independent reporting.”
In November 2016, Kensington Palace confirmed the couple were in a relationship when a statement was released concerning “a wave of abuse and harassment” Meghan and her family had experienced in the media, referring to her as Prince Harry’s “girlfriend”.
Their engagement was announced on 27 November 2017, with their wedding taking place in Windsor six months later.