The book, written by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, chronicles the couple’s relationship from their first blind date to their shock decision to step down from their roles as Senior royals.
While Harry and Meghan reportedly “gave their blessing” to friends to speak with the authors, the pair have maintained they were not involved at all in the writing of the book.
Now, Scobie has revealed who he had to speak to in order to write the book.
“I know there are a lot of rumours and talk about the couple cooperating with the book and us having secret interviews with them, and this was not the case,” Scobie said during an appearance on UK morning show Lorraine.
“But, what we did have was a front-row seat to all their work, their public and private engagements.”
Scobie explained he got to know the couple through their philanthropic efforts, and through the more than 100 interviews conducted for the book, had a “lens to the couple through their friends and aides.”
“It provided a really balanced portrait of the couple and brought them to life.”
A description of the book claims few people know “the true story of Harry and Meghan,” and Scobie said he and Durand aimed to “re-humanise” the pair.
When asked by interviewer Andi Peters whether he had sparked a friendship with the Duchess, Scobie said, “We are in no way friends.”
“There is always that line between the journalist and the member of the royal family,” he added.
“But, of course, being part of the press core does mean you do get up close and personal with all members of the royal family.”
The Mail on Sunday reported that before moving to the US, Meghan and Harry gave interviews to the book authors.
Scobie is the Royal Editor at Large for BAZAAR.com and Durand works as a royal contributor for ELLE.com and OprahMag.com. She has also worked as a producer for ABC in the US.
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family has been available for pre-purchase in Australia since yesterday.