Prince Harry’s childhood friend was “punished” for expressing “doubts” about Meghan Markle ahead of their wedding.

According to the biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Family, Tom Inskip suggested that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should live together before “doing something more drastic.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, the royal’s nearest confidant – known as “Skippy” – announced his concerns about the American actress ahead of their engagement in late 2017.

Inskip and his wife, Lara Hughes-Young, were “punished” by being excluded from the evening wedding party at Frogmore House following the Windsor Castle ceremony in 2018.

A source close to the duke, 35, and duchess, 39, told the writers of Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, that it caused the two close friends to grow apart, according to the newspaper.

Though Inskip’s advice “came from a good place,” they said, the prince was “very hurt” that “someone he was so close to would not trust his judgment.”

According to reports, Harry was not pleased with the remarks. Having said that, Inskip wasn’t the only one who was concerned about Harry’s involvement with the Suits actress. Prince William, the royal’s brother, reportedly expressed his worries about Meghan, telling Harry, “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.” According to the book, Harry was offended because “[d]uring 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.”

According to the Daily Mail, Harry and Skippy “have since reconciled,” but the fallout seems to have been a difficult time in their relationship.

Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney, the couple’s new A-list pals, were invited.

Despite any schism, it was reported last year that the sad death of Lara’s mother, Emma St Helens, at the age of 66, resulted in Skippy and Harry’s reunion.

Lara collected money for Heads Together — a charity partner of Prince Harry – in memory of her mother, and he gave a substantial amount, according to friends.

“Skippy and Harry are back as tight friends. When Harry heard about Lara’s mother’s horrible passing, it really hit a nerve,” a source told The Sun.

“Lara has raised money to support research into mental health and Harry decided to let bygones be bygones.”

Skippy was one of the royal’s pals on the notorious Las Vegas night in 2012, when he was caught nude with ladies in a hotel room.