Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's olive branch at risk of snapping within days - analysis by Svar Nanan-Sen
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The gesture from the Sussexes looked to have been the first step for constructive talks with the Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's olive branch to the Royal Family is at risk of snapping just days after being extended.
The Duke of Sussex reached out to his father on Tuesday to wish him a happy 75th birthday.
Meghan Markle also spoke to the King on his birthday despite choosing not to attend his Coronation earlier this year.
Meghan Markle also spoke to the King on his birthday despite choosing not to attend his Coronation earlier this year.
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The gesture from the Sussexes looked to have been the first step for constructive talks with the Royal Family.
According to reports, Prince Harry intends to call his father again in November.
However, the day after King Charles's birthday, the first extracts of Omid Scobie's bombshell royal book Endgame were released.
The extracts contained claims including Prince William ignoring his brother on the day Queen Elizabeth II died and Harry being left to fend for himself by the Royal Family.
Scobie previously wrote the biography Finding Freedom on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied links to the royal author, with sources close to the couple saying they had nothing to do with Endgame.
According to reports, Prince Harry intends to call his father again in November.
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However, in 2021 Meghan apologised in court for failing to remember authorising a senior aide to brief Scobie and his co-author Carolyn Durand when they were working on Finding Freedom.
The Duchess of Sussex submitted a statement saying she could not remember emails she had sent to her press secretary, Jason Knauf, about the unauthorised book.
Meghan's statement said: "I accept that Mr Knauf did provide some information to the authors for the book and that he did so with my knowledge, for a meeting that he planned for with the authors in his capacity as communications secretary.
"The extent of the information he shared is unknown to me.
"When I approved the passage … I did not have the benefit of seeing these emails and I apologise to the court for the fact that I had not remembered these exchanges at the time.
"I had absolutely no wish or intention to mislead the defendant or the court."
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A royal source claimed that William and Kate appear to be Scobie's "number one target".
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On Thursday, Scobie rubbished claims that Meghan and Harry have had any involvement with his latest book.
He posted on social media: "It’s not 'Harry and Meghan’s book', I’m not 'Meg’s pal', the Sussexes have nothing to do with it."
The initial extracts from the book will have alarmed senior members of the Royal Family.
A royal source claimed that William and Kate appear to be Scobie's "number one target".
The insider added that the extracts have "opened up" old wounds in the Royal Family.
Despite Meghan and Harry distancing themselves from the book, its release will create further tension between the couple and senior royals while undoing any progress made by the phone call to the King.