Royal Biography Sparks Clash as Sussexes Dismiss Author’s Claims

A newly released royal biography has drawn a sharp response from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple accused the book’s author of spreading conspiracy theories and exaggerating their relationship with the British royal family. They rejected claims in extracts published in a British newspaper, calling the work “deranged conspiracy and melodrama.”

British investigative journalist Tom Bower wrote the book, which explores tensions within the royal household and revisits the events that led the Sussexes to step down from senior royal roles in 2020. Titled Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, it revisits longstanding disagreements between Harry, Meghan, and other senior royals.

Early excerpts claim Queen Camilla privately told a friend that Meghan had “brainwashed” Harry. The book also portrays Meghan as a “divisive figure” in the royal family. Bower suggests that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, viewed her as a potential “threat” to the monarchy’s stability.

Sussexes Reject Claims in New Book

Harry and Meghan criticized the book through a spokesperson. They argued that Bower’s narrative exceeds legitimate criticism. The couple suggested the author has long obsessed over them and their royal roles.

Their spokesperson said Bower “crossed the line from criticism into fixation.” They added that he constructs elaborate theories about people he has never met. The statement urged readers seeking verified information to look elsewhere.

The spokesperson also referenced Bower’s past remark that the monarchy depends on “obliterating the Sussexes from public life.” According to the couple, this highlights a hostile narrative surrounding them.

The biography examines several aspects of their lives. It covers their relationship with William and Catherine, their move to the United States, and the business ventures they pursued after leaving royal duties.

Since stepping back, Harry and Meghan Markle have signed deals with Netflix and Spotify. These agreements support documentary production, podcasting, and other media projects. Some initiatives, however, drew mixed reactions from critics and the public.

Bower’s book also revisits the growing strain between the brothers before the Sussexes left the U.K. The author claims William and Catherine felt “alarmed” by Meghan’s influence. He suggests they believed she expressed frustration over Harry’s limited chance of becoming king.

The book further claims Harry fears that William, once king, could strip the Sussexes of remaining royal titles. It also implies he worries about restrictions on returning to Britain in an official capacity.

Another section focuses on the couple’s appearances at the Invictus Games, the international sporting event Harry founded for wounded military personnel and veterans. Bower argues that media attention is increasingly centered on the Sussexes, controversially calling the tournament the “Meghan Games.”

Harry and Meghan have not addressed every claim but broadly dismissed the book’s conclusions. The publication reignites debate over the couple’s rift with the royal family, a topic that has drawn public attention since their exit from official duties more than five years ago.

Bower previously authored Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, released in 2022. That book also generated controversy. With this latest biography set to reach readers soon, debate over its claims is likely to continue.