Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's announcement left King Charles 'crushed'

Harry and Meghan are said to have given 20 minutes warning about their relationship announcemt (Image: Yaroslav Sabitov/PA Wire/PA Images)

Prince Charles was reportedly left 'crushed' after receiving a mere 20 minutes notice about an announcement from his son, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, according to a Royal book.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first crossed paths in July 2016 and made their relationship public in November of the same year.

During this period, the-then Prince of Wales was gearing up for a meeting with the King of Bahrain amidst a sensitive tour in the Persian Gulf state.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who penned 'Finding Freedom' and are believed to be close to the Sussexes, said his team had spent months organising the tour, hoping it would be "covered significantly" by the media.

Charles, then the Prince of Wales, was due to visit Bahrain at the time. (Image: Getty)

However, Charles was reportedly "crushed" when when Harry and Meghan not only confirmed their relationship publicly but also launched a critique on the press. Charles feared this announcement would monopolise the news cycle, thereby eclipsing his tour.

The authors further claimed that Harry gave his father a scant 20 minutes heads-up before releasing a statement confirming his relationship with Meghan, reports the Mirror.

The book states: "It was a critical moment that had been in the works for months. A statement from Kensington Palace condemning the Press and, in the same breath, confirming Harry's new girlfriend would all but eliminate coverage of Prince Charles's tour of the Gulf."

Royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have revealed in their book that "The team at Clarence House, which had spent months putting together Prince Charles' tour in the hopes that it would be covered significantly, was crushed."

Prince Harry and Meghan went public with their relationship in 2016 (Image: Getty)

The book also highlights how Prince Harry stood up to anyone who "questioned his new relationship", with the authors noting that the Duke of Sussex often wondered if people were judging them based on race or snobbery.

It's alleged that Harry severed ties with a friend for "gossiping about Meghan" and was ready for an all-out battle with the media.

Despite this, the book maintains that Prince Charles "understood that the situation with Meghan had reached a tipping point", even though he was "disappointed" by the timing of his son's statement.

The relationship between the future King and his younger son has deteriorated over time, following Harry's decision to step back from Royal duties and his subsequent criticisms of the monarchy.

Omid Scobie made the claims in Finding Freedom (Image: Getty)

In just a few days, Harry will be journeying to London to attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. He is set to attend a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Wednesday, May 8, where he is expected to deliver a reading.

Whether he will meet with his father remains uncertain. The last time they saw each other was when Harry made a quick trip back to the UK in February, following the public announcement of the King's cancer diagnosis.

However, the visit was brief, with Harry spending only 24 hours in his home country and a mere 45 minutes with his father.

Insiders have dismissed any speculation of a reconciliation between Prince Harry and his brother Prince William, who reportedly still harbours feelings of betrayal.

Sources close to the situation revealed to The Daily Beast: "Both sides understand each other's position clearly now. William and Catherine felt completely betrayed by Harry's memoir. They don't speak to Harry and Meghan, and they are certainly not about to start when Catherine is at her most vulnerable."