Royal author Tom Bower has launched a fierce counterattack after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dismissed his forthcoming book as "deranged conspiracy and melodrama." The clash erupted following a controversial report in Hollywood trade publication Variety, which scrutinised the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the Sussexes' partnership with Netflix.
Bower's Blunt Assessment of the Sussexes' Future
In an interview with the Express, Mr Bower asserted that the Variety article corroborates the claims in his book, titled "Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family." He argued that the couple's prospects in Hollywood are dwindling rapidly. "The Sussexes are reaching the end of the road in Hollywood," Mr Bower declared. "Their behaviour, lack of original talent and suffocating self-importance has made it even more important for them to return to Britain in July, meet the King and be revalidated as royals."
However, Mr Bower predicted that this option will be firmly denied to them. "That option, I believe, will be denied to them. They face an increasingly tough future. That's the price of betraying the Royal Family since Megxit," he added, referencing the couple's 2020 departure from royal duties.
Harry and Meghan's Swift Rebuttal
The Sussexes swiftly issued a statement in response to the initial allegations from Mr Bower's book, excerpts of which were published in The Times ahead of its March 26 release date. Their statement accused the author of having "long crossed the line from criticism into fixation." It opened with a pointed remark: "This is someone who has publicly stated, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' language that speaks for itself."
The statement further criticised Mr Bower's methods, asserting: "He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met. Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."
Explosive Claims and Netflix Controversies
Among the provocative claims surfacing from Mr Bower's book is the suggestion that Queen Camilla confided in a friend that Meghan had "brainwashed" Harry. This adds to a series of allegations highlighted in the Variety report, which painted a damning picture of the couple's professional relationships.
The report alleged that Netflix was "blindsided" by the Sussexes' explosive 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, with "many annoyed by the lack of communication." Sources claimed that the streaming giant only discovered at the last minute that the couple would share intimate, headline-grabbing details with Winfrey.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes refuted this as "categorically false," emphasising that "Netflix and Archewell had legal counsel involved to oversee the evolution of the deal, as is common practice for any deal changes in Hollywood."
Further Tensions Over Harry's Memoir
Another allegation from the Variety report centred on Netflix's wariness about Prince Harry's tell-all memoir, released in early January 2023. The Sussexes had unveiled their docuseries, "Harry & Meghan," just a month prior, in December 2022. The report stated: "Netflix approached the couple to discuss how a potential book deal would impact the release of the docuseries. Sources say Meghan downplayed the auction, telling Sarandos that any publication would be far in the future, if it happened at all."
Meghan's spokesperson rejected this claim as "categorically untrue - there was open communication with Netflix months before release to co-ordinate timing between book and series."
Broader Context and Commercial Ventures
The excerpts from Mr Bower's book cover a wide range of subjects, including Harry and Meghan's strained relationship with Prince William and Princess Catherine, as well as their commercial and charitable ventures since relocating to the US in 2020. These ventures include high-profile partnerships with Netflix and Spotify, which have faced scrutiny and restructuring.
This controversy follows the announcement that Netflix had ended its collaboration with Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, allowing the Duchess to "continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently." Last year, reports emerged suggesting the couple had secured a fresh "first look" Netflix agreement, often described as a "downgraded" or "watered down" version of their original contract.
Speaking at Fortune's Powerful Women Summit in Washington in October, Meghan provided details about the new deal. She informed the audience: "My husband and I were in an overall deal with Netflix... and then the extension of it... was now being in a first look deal, which is also exciting because it gives us flexibility to go to our partners first, and then at the same time be able to shop content that might not be the right fit for Netflix but has a home somewhere else."
As the public feud intensifies, the future of Harry and Meghan's royal connections and Hollywood ambitions remains uncertain, with Mr Bower's book poised to fuel further debate upon its release.
