A sensational claim that Meghan Markle had 'brainwashed' Prince Harry, amid the deepening rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, has been robustly dismissed by their spokesperson as a 'deranged conspiracy'. This explosive allegation is reportedly detailed in extracts from a new biography by author Tom Bower, which suggests Queen Camilla made the remark to a friend.
Spokesperson's Forceful Rebuttal
In a sharp response issued on Saturday, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan summarily rejected the claim, stating that Bower has 'long crossed the line from criticism into fixation.' The spokesperson highlighted Bower's own words, quoting him as saying, 'the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life,' and argued this language speaks for itself.
'He has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met,' the spokesperson declared. 'Those interested in facts will look elsewhere - those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him.'
Alleged Tensions and Clashes
The biography, titled Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family and serialised in The Times, paints a dramatic picture of the breakdown in relations. It claims tensions were spiralling just weeks after Harry and Meghan returned from their honeymoon in the summer of 2018.
Bower alleges that a supposedly conciliatory teatime meeting between Harry and his brother, Prince William, culminated in Meghan snapping at William: 'If you don't mind, get your finger out of my face.' This clash reportedly occurred amid mounting concern within the Royal Family that Harry was changing under Meghan's influence, even secretly swapping his mobile phone number.
Royal Fears and Doubts
According to the book, 'Meghan's brainwashed Harry,' Camilla is said to have told a friend as the dispute intensified. Bower writes that both Camilla and others 'evidently saw Meghan as a threat rather than an ally,' reflecting fears that the once carefree prince had become estranged from his relatives and his former life.
William had harboured doubts about Meghan long before the couple's wedding, warning Harry that the relationship was moving too fast, it's claimed. 'It's gone too quickly,' the future king is said to have told his younger brother about his budding romance. These misgivings were reportedly shared by William's wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who Bower claims was also wary of Meghan's influence.
The book suggests that both William and Kate believed Harry—who struggled following the death of his mother Diana and had battled issues with drink, drugs, and mental health—was particularly vulnerable. While Meghan's ambition captivated Harry, the family regarded her as a potential destabilising force, suspecting she was unhappy about the limits of Harry's future within the monarchy and 'regretted' the fact that she would probably never become queen.
Harry's Transformation and Aftermath
Instead of accepting the traditional role of the royal 'spare', Harry pushed back against palace control and distanced himself from his old circle of friends. Bower writes that the prince, known for his boisterous, fun-loving ways, became 'possessed by seeking revenge.' Since the Sussexes quit royal duties and moved to California in 2020, they have become isolated from Britain while Meghan has focused on building a commercial brand in the United States.
At a recent Netflix event promoting its upcoming shows, Meghan's new lifestyle series With Love, Meghan reportedly failed to receive a mention from the streaming giant's head of content. Bower also recounts how the couple attempted to boost their public image during devastating wildfires in California by visiting a Pasadena soup kitchen and sharing footage on social media, but critics accused them of staging a publicity stunt.
Controversy Over Invictus Games
Elsewhere in the book, Bower focuses on media coverage of Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games, the international sporting event for wounded veterans founded by the prince in 2014. The author refers to the event as 'the Meghan Games', a description that has been dismissed as 'disappointing' and 'disrespectful' by the Invictus Games Foundation.
A spokesperson for the Foundation told Daily Mail: 'The Foundation exists to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world. Attempts to question the legitimacy of competitors or diminish the experiences of those living with both physical injuries and invisible wounds such as PTSD are deeply disrespectful to the men and women the Games were created for. The focus should remain where it belongs - on the courage, recovery and camaraderie of those who have served.'
Another Invictus source described Bower's description as 'offensive', accusing him of showing a 'mind-boggling lack of understanding and compassion' for servicemen and women, and adding: 'How dare he. Shame on him.'
