Meghan Markle pulled out of Pippa Middleton’s wedding at last minute

Meghan Markle pulled out of attending Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding because she didn’t want to ‘create a media circus’ and chose a ‘deliberately unflashy gown’ for the reception, Finding Freedom claims.

The Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, claim they were not interviewed for the book and did not contribute to the tale by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, which provides a high level of personal detail and a dramatic account of the events leading up to the Sussexes’ departure from royal life.  

The authors detail how Carole Middleton, 65, and Pippa, 36, ‘reluctantly’ invited Meghan to Pippa’s Berkshire wedding in May 2017, but ‘privately harboured concerns’ that her presence alongside Prince Harry would ‘overshadow the main event.’

They write that Meghan pulled out of attending ‘at the last minute’ after an article by  a newspaper compared Meghan and Pippa with the headline: ‘It’s Meghan v Pippa in the…Wedding of the Rears’.

Meghan Markle, 39, pulled out of attending Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’ wedding because she didn’t want to ‘create a media circus’, according to the authors of Finding Freedom

In the new explosive biography, the authors write: ‘Meghan put careful thought into her outfit, leaning heavily on Jessica Mulroney to pull together an ensemble that was stylish without being splashy when walking into church with Harry.

‘Her determination not to make a misstep at Pippa’s wedding was just one in many actions she took befitting a woman on track to becoming royalty.’

However following press reports, Prince Harry and Meghan ultimately decided on the day of the event that she ‘couldn’t possibly turn up’ at St Mark’s Church, at Englefield Estate, Berkshire.

The decision came after an article was published by The Sun article comparing Meghan and Pippa with the headline: ‘It’s Meghan v Pippa in the…Wedding of the Rears’.

According to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Meghan was 'reluctantly' included on the guest list for the wedding in May 2017

According to Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, Meghan was ‘reluctantly’ included on the guest list for the wedding in May 2017 

Pippa had earlier attracted nationwide attention with her stunning appearance at Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011, making headlines with her gorgeous figure and dress.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive new biography Finding Freedom has become a bestseller within 24 hours of release

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive new biography Finding Freedom has become a bestseller within 24 hours of release

The authors of Finding Freedom write: ‘If [Prince Harry and Meghan] they worried their arrival might create a media circus despite taking every precaution, now they had no doubt it would.

‘Meghan’s church outfit, and Philip Treacy hat, would have be worn another time.’

Instead, Omid and Carolyn explain that Meghan was dropped off at an Airbnb close to the church during the service.  

The Duchess changed into a ‘decidedly unflashy long black gown and did her own makeup’ before Prince Harry joined her for lunch and drove her to the  reception in the grounds of the Middleton’s family home. 

The authors continue: ‘Sitting together in the custom glass marquee that had been erected on the 18 acre property should have been a fun night for the couple but, per Pippa’s request, no couples sat together.’

While Prince Harry was seated next to his friend and ITV anchor Tom Bradby, Meghan ‘sipped Dom Ruinart champagne and dined on trout and lamb’ as she ‘chatted to a new posse of friends for that evening, which included Roger Federer’s wife, Mirka.

Pippa and Kate's mother Carole 'privately harboured concerns' that her presence alongside Prince Harry would 'overshadow the main event', according to Finding Freedom

Pippa and Kate’s mother Carole ‘privately harboured concerns’ that her presence alongside Prince Harry would ‘overshadow the main event’, according to Finding Freedom

‘With DJ Sam Totolee at the turntables after dinner was over, Harry and Meghan were reunited near the dance floor.

‘The old Harry would have certainly closed out the bash with the rest of his friends. instead, he and Meghan spent most of their time chatting about their evening apart.’ 

The book offers new insights into Harry’s falling out with William and how the couple felt ‘thrown under the bus’,  after the disagreements started started when the Prince’s older brother referred to Meghan as ‘this girl’ and voiced concerns that he might be rushing the romance. 

Meghan pulled out of the event last minute after The Sun published an article comparing her with Pippa alongside the headline: 'It's Meghan v Pippa in the...Wedding of the Rears'. (pictured, Pippa Middleton at Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011)

Meghan pulled out of the event last minute after The Sun published an article comparing her with Pippa alongside the headline: ‘It’s Meghan v Pippa in the…Wedding of the Rears’. (pictured, Pippa Middleton at Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011) 

The authors say Harry ‘felt people working with his brother had put things out there to make William look good, even if it meant throwing Harry under the bus’. 

Excerpts from the book have already revealed many inside details about the couple’s departure from the Royal Family, including how the couple considered driving straight to confront the ‘devastated’ Queen about Megxit after returning from Canada in January.

Sources close to the couple also claim in the book that royal aides feared Meghan and Harry’s popularity was eclipsing that of the Royal Family itself – and says the couple were jealous of William and Kate getting the best roles and ‘didn’t feel supported’ by the royals.

The biography offers new detailed insights into Prince Harry and Meghan's life with their son Archie

The biography offers new detailed insights into Prince Harry and Meghan’s life with their son Archie 

The author’s note appears to acknowledge that the writers worked with the couple on the biography, reading: ‘We have spoken with close friends of Harry and Meghan, royal aides and palace staff (past and present), the charities and organisations they have built long-lasting relationships with and, when appropriate, the couple themselves.’  

Among the fresh revelations in the book are: 

  • Meghan Markle formed such a close bond with Prince Charles that she considers him her ‘second father’;
  • Meghan was often ‘seen carrying binders full of research on Royal protocol’ so she didn’t put a foot wrong;
  • The Queen gave Meghan a royal masterclass in protocol and described Meghan as ‘very clever and good’;
  • Harry felt he was ‘thrown under the bus’ by aides working for his brother Prince William;
  • Royal courtiers feared the brother’s falling out ‘could spell the end of the monarchy’;
  • Meghan left the UK ’emotionally bruised and exhausted’ after her last frosty event with William and Kate;
  • Russian hackers stole hundreds of their personal photos in 2018 after gaining access to an online account.

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