The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a fierce counterattack against a new book by author Tom Bower, branding its claims as "deranged conspiracy and melodrama." In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, the royal couple criticised Bower's "fixation" on them and dismissed the extracts from his forthcoming book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Future of the Royal Family, as unfounded and sensationalist.
Royal Couple's Blunt Rebuttal
The Sussexes' statement directly addressed Bower's commentary, asserting that it has "long crossed the line from criticism into fixation." They highlighted a previous public remark by Bower, where he allegedly stated that "the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life," a phrase the couple said "speaks for itself." The statement further accused Bower of constructing "ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met," advising those interested in facts to look elsewhere.
Explosive Claims in the Book
Extracts from Bower's book, set for release later this month, include several contentious allegations. One claim suggests that Queen Camilla once told a friend, "Meghan's brainwashed Harry." Another alleges that the Prince and Princess of Wales viewed Meghan as "a threat" amid rising tensions before the Sussexes' move to the United States. The book also describes a teatime reconciliation meeting in 2018 that "spun out of control," with Meghan reportedly telling William, "If you don't mind, get your finger out of my face."
Bower further writes that Harry was "shocked" by the downfall of Prince Andrew following revelations about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The author claims Harry fears that future King William could "remove all the Sussexes' titles and effectively banish him from Britain." Additionally, the book references the couple's Netflix deal and their appearance at the 2025 Invictus Games, which Bower dubs "the Meghan Games," citing dismissed Canadian executives who "resented the pushy Sussexes" and claimed Meghan was "a distraction from the injured veterans."
Ongoing Media Battles
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of the Sussexes' continued legal struggles with the media. In January, Harry accused the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL), of wanting to drive him "to drugs and drinking" through surveillance, stating in court that it continued to "come after" him and his wife. He emotionally described how ANL had made Meghan's life "an absolute misery" during litigation. Previously, in December, Meghan accused the Daily Mail of breaching "ethical boundaries" by reporting from her estranged father Thomas Markle's bedside. ANL denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's forceful response underscores their determination to challenge narratives they perceive as malicious, reinforcing their ongoing efforts to control their public image amidst persistent scrutiny and speculation.
