Finding Freedom: Meghan Markle was warned not to wear 'M&H' necklace early on, new book claims

In the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle was allegedly warned about drawing unnecessary attention to herself by wearing a 14-carat gold chain with the initials M and H, according to a new book.

Royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, co-authored the book Finding Freedom, based on interviews with over 100 royal sources. But a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Independent the couple were not involved in the book, which details their relationship and royal life.

The authors wrote: "Two days after Meghan was photographed buying flowers at her usual florist, wearing her new initial necklace, she received a phone call from a senior Kensington Palace aide.

"She was advised that wearing such a necklace only served to encourage the photographers to keep pursuing such images - and new headlines."

The book claims she knew the aide had good intentions, but she felt "frustrated and emotional" following the call and thought it was a "surreal experience".

Prior to her wedding, Meghan was also trained in everything from curtsying to surviving a kidnap and hostage situation, the book claims.

In November 2017 - following their engagement - Meghan was put on an SAS training course by the royal family (the Duchess of Cambridge underwent a similar course after her wedding, but the Duchess of Sussex received an “unusually high number of threats” so it was deemed appropriate to do it sooner).

The authors wrote: "The training - which all senior members of the royal family except the Queen have completed at SAS headquarters in Hereford - is preparation for all high-risk security scenarios including kidnapping, hostage situations and terrorist attacks."

It included Meghan taking part in a staged kidnapping, where she was bundled into the back of a car by a “terrorist”, taken to a different location and then “saved” by offers firing fake guns.

During the training Meghan was also reportedly taught how to develop a relationship with the enemy and how to drive a car while in pursuit.

The authors wrote: “A source said it was an ‘extremely intense and scary’ experience for Meghan, but one that she is grateful to have gone through.”

Meghan was also given a more informal training on royal life and protocol, say the authors. "A series of instructions that covered everything from how to most gracefully exit your chauffeured sedan while wearing a pencil skirt to when to courtesy to members of the family several rungs up the hierarchy from you.”

Although the authors claim Meghan also wanted to take further etiquette lessons but was never offered any.

Finding Freedom is out in hardback now and available to buy here