The Rumored 'Kidnapping' Training Meghan Markle Had to Do Sounds So Intense
"Meghan was taught to develop a relationship with the enemy."
By Emily Tannenbaum
Back in 2018, it was reported that Meghan Markle took part in an intense kidnapping training before her royal wedding to Prince Harry. Now we have a lot more details.
According to the new book Finding Freedom, Markle took part in the same training course that Kate Middleton went through following her wedding to Prince William. Over the course of two days at the British Army's SAS headquarters, Markle was reportedly shown what to expect during a "possible hostage" situation—and what to do to survive. This included a staged "kidnap and rescue" mission that honestly sounds too intense for me.
It was allegedly an "extremely tense and scary experience"" for the duchess too, according to one source who spoke with Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.
"Meghan took part in a staged kidnapping, where she was bundled up in a car by a 'terrorist,' taken to a different location, and then 'saved' by officers firing fake guns (the kind used in Hollywood films) for realism," Scobie and Durand wrote in Finding Freedom, per People. "During the mock kidnapping, Meghan was taught to develop a relationship with the enemy. She was also instructed on how to drive a car while in pursuit."
Supposedly most modern members of the royal family, apart from Queen Elizabeth II, have undergone similar training, including Princess Diana.
It's no wonder security and privacy have become a top priority for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down from their senior-royal duties in January. Seven months later, the family of three (plus two dogs) is just settling into their new normal outside of Los Angeles.
Before moving from their most recent home in L.A. last month, the Sussexes' attorney filed a complaint with the State of California after discovering a photographer had been "shopping photographs" of their son, Archie, according to documents obtained by E! News.
Here's hoping they feel safe and protected in their new home.
Topicsmeghan markleroyals
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