The Real Reason Prince Harry Punished His Friend Over Meghan Markle Doubts
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Has there been a marriage that's faced more public scrutiny or negative media attention than that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Probably, but these days, the young couple seems to bear the brunt of negative tabloid censure. They've certainly received worse treatment than their relatives and in-laws, Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Things got so bad with Harry and Meghan's relationship with media outlets that the couple actually decided to cut off a few major publications. This came in addition to their departure from royal life and their decision to start anew in Los Angeles. They also left Instagram and effectively cut ties with the royal family. However, it's worth pointing out that Harry and Meghan still live an insanely lavish life, even after those drastic changes.
While Harry and Meghan have had a difficult time with the press seemingly from the start, there have also been rifts in their circle of friends. In fact, Harry went so far as to actually punish one of his closest friends for voicing doubts about Meghan.
Prince Harry's friend had reservations about Meghan Markle
The unauthorized biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family dives into a rift between Prince Harry and one of his close friends, Tom Inskip. Harry met Inskip, or "Skippy" (pictured), while attending Eton College and the two became best friends, according to the Daily Mail. In fact, according to the outlet, Skippy was with Harry during the 2012 Las Vegas incident when Harry was "caught playing naked billiards with showgirls in a hotel suite." Needless to say, the two men go way back.
When Harry began seriously dating Meghan Markle, Skippy apparently had his reservations and actually voiced them to Harry, according to the biography (via the Daily Mail). While Skippy's comments "came from a good place," the royal "didn't totally see it that way." A source told the book's authors (via The Telegraph): "It really hurt him that someone he was so close to would not trust his judgment."
According to the biography, Harry ultimately excluded Skippy from a very significant event during his wedding celebrations.
Prince Harry excluded pal Tom Inskip from a wedding party
When Prince Harry's friend, Tom "Skippy" Inskip, cautioned Harry about Meghan Markle, his advice was simply to take things slow. Skippy allegedly suggested that Harry and Meghan move in together before "doing anything more serious," according to the biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family (via the Daily Mail).
Harry reportedly did not take too kindly to the comments. That being said, Inskip wasn't the only one who had his thoughts about Harry's relationship with the Suits actress. The royal's brother, Prince William, also apparently voiced his concerns about Meghan, telling Harry: "Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl." The comments were reportedly offensive to Harry because "[d]uring his ten-year career in the military, outside the Royal bubble, he had learnt not to make snap judgments about people based on their accent, education, ethnicity, class or profession," according to the book.
Per the biography, Harry "punished" Skippy by refusing to invite his long-time friend and his wife, Lara Hughes-Young, to his and Meghan's wedding party hosted, which was hosted at Frogmore House in May 2018. According to the Daily Mail, Harry and Skippy "have since reconciled," but it certainly seems like the falling out was a tumultuous period in their friendship.