Harry’s childhood friend ‘had doubts’ about Meghan, new book claims 

One of Prince Harry’s oldest friends expressed his reservations about Meghan Markle but was ‘punished’ for giving his advice, a new book claims.

Tom ‘Skippy’ Inskip had been a close friend of the Duke after they met at Eton College, and were for a time inseparable.

But according to the upcoming biography, Finding Freedom, Skippy had a falling out with Prince Harry after he shared his ‘doubts’ about the Duchess before they became engaged.

He is believed to have advised Harry and Meghan to live together before ‘doing anything more serious.’

A source close to Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the book’s authors that although his advice ‘came from a good place,’ Prince Harry ‘didn’t totally see it that way’, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

‘It really hurt him that someone he was so close to would not trust his judgment,’ added the source, who is believed to have spoken out with the permission of Harry and Meghan.

As a result, Mr Inskip and his wife Lara were reportedly ‘punished’ by being excluded from Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding party at Frogmore House.

Instead, they had to watch as the Royal couple’s new friends such as Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney made their way to the event.

He is believed to have advised Harry and Meghan to live together before ‘doing anything more serious’. A source close to Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the book’s authors that although his advice ‘came from a good place,’ Prince Harry ‘didn’t totally see it that way’

It is believed that Skippy, who lives in Washington DC and works at US tech giant Afiniti, have since reconciled after the death of his mother-in-law last year following severe mental health problems.

Skippy was one of those in Las Vegas in 2012 when Harry was infamously caught playing naked billiards with showgirls in a hotel suite.

And he was also with the Prince when he was seen inhaling ‘hippy crack’ – or laughing gas – at another party.

Skippy was one of those in Las Vegas in 2012 when Harry was infamously caught playing naked billiards with showgirls in a hotel suite. Pictured: Harry and Skippy at the 2013 wedding of James Meade and Lady Laura Marsham

Harry acted as an usher at Skippy’s wedding to literary agent Lara in Jamaica back in 2017, when Meghan made one of her first appearances with the Prince. 

It has been previously revealed that Harry’s brother, Prince William, also advised him to slow down, leading to reports of a deep rift between the two.

According to the book, which is published on Tuesday, Harry took offence when William told him: ‘Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.’

Harry is said to have considered the choice of the words ‘this girl’ to be condescending.

‘In those last two words, “this girl”, Harry heard the tone of snobbishness that was anathema to his approach to the world,’ claims the book.

‘During 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.’