The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a scathing attack on a new biography, dismissing its claims as "deranged conspiracy" and "melodrama" after extracts alleged Queen Camilla believed Meghan had "brainwashed" Prince Harry, and that the Prince and Princess of Wales viewed Meghan as "a threat."

Contentious Claims in Tom Bower's Betrayal

Due for release later this month, Tom Bower's new biography, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, presents a highly critical account of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their relationship with the wider Royal Family. The book's most provocative assertion suggests Queen Camilla confided in a friend, expressing a belief that Meghan had "brainwashed Harry."

Bower also delves into the reported breakdown of relations between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales. He writes that William and Kate were "alarmed" by Meghan's perceived influence on Harry, and supposedly saw her as a "threat" rather than an ally as tensions mounted within the family.

The author further alleges that Meghan "lamented Harry's unlikely chances of one day being king, just as she regretted the possibility that she would never be the queen." This narrative suggests a deep-seated ambition that, according to Bower, caused friction.

The book recounts a particularly tense alleged incident shortly after the Duke and Duchess's 2018 wedding and honeymoon. During a reconciliation meeting that reportedly "spun out of control," Meghan is said to have told William, "If you don't mind, get your finger out of my face."

Another significant claim focuses on Prince Harry's reaction to the public downfall of his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Bower states Harry was "shocked" by Prince Andrew's humiliation following revelations about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This episode, Bower suggests, intensified Harry's fears that a future King William might strip him of his titles and effectively banish him from Britain.

Beyond family dynamics, Bower scrutinises the couple's post-royal careers. He reportedly refers to the Invictus Games, the international multi-sport event Harry founded for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel and veterans, as "the Meghan Games." Bower claims that Harry consented to Meghan taking a starring role at the event, purportedly after their lucrative Netflix deal failed to meet expectations.

The book cites two Canadian executives, reportedly dismissed from the Games, who allegedly "resented the pushy Sussexes." These former employees claimed Meghan was a "distraction" from the focus on the injured veterans, adding another layer to the criticism levelled at the Duchess.

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Sussexes Deliver Forceful Rebuttal

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were swift and unequivocal in their response to the book's claims. On Saturday, they issued a strongly worded statement, dismissing Bower’s work as a "deranged conspiracy" and "melodrama."

A spokesperson for the couple asserted that Tom Bower's commentary had "long crossed the line from criticism into fixation." They highlighted a previous public remark by the author, where he reportedly stated, "the monarchy in fact depends on actually obliterating the Sussexes from our state of life," presenting this as evidence of his extreme agenda.

The spokesperson painted Bower as an individual who has "made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he doesn't know and has never met." This direct challenge questions the factual basis and journalistic integrity of the biography.

In a pointed message to the public, the Sussexes' statement concluded: "Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him." This clearly differentiates their perspective from what they perceive as sensationalist reporting.

The specific allegation regarding Meghan "brainwashing" Harry drew particular ire, with Prince Harry's spokesperson directly labelling it a "deranged conspiracy." This strong language shows the couple's intense disapproval of the narrative being presented.

Ongoing Royal Rifts and Media Scrutiny

These latest claims emerge against a backdrop of considerable and well-documented strain between Prince Harry and Meghan and the wider Royal Family. The couple famously took the decision to step down as senior working royals in 2020, subsequently relocating to California with their two children, six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet.

Their departure, often dubbed 'Megxit' by the press, marked a big turning point for the monarchy and has been followed by a series of candid interviews and personal accounts from the couple, which have often been critical of the institution.

Prince Harry, in particular, has been engaged in a persistent and high-profile legal battle against various media outlets, accusing them of intrusive and damaging reporting. Just this January, he told the High Court that the publisher of the Daily Mail sought to drive him "to drugs and drinking" through sustained surveillance, asserting that the publication continued to "come after" him and his wife.

This ongoing legal action highlights the Duke's deep-seated grievances with sections of the British press, which he has frequently blamed for contributing to the intense pressures and scrutiny faced by his family, echoing sentiments he has expressed since childhood.

As is often the case with such sensitive royal matters, Buckingham Palace has maintained a policy of silence, declining to comment on the specific claims made in Bower's book. Similarly, representatives for the Prince and Princess of Wales haven't offered an immediate response to the allegations concerning their views on Meghan or the alleged confrontation.

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The hotly anticipated biography, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, is scheduled for release later this month.

This article was created with AI assistance.