The Duke and Duchess of Sussex hit back at ‘brainwashing’ claims in a new bombshell book, but it will have done little to help relations with The Firm, according to a royal expert
22:37, 24 Mar 2026Updated 22:38, 24 Mar 2026
The Sussexes’ reponse is unlikely to help relations with King Charles, a royal expert says
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive reaction to fresh criticism about their dealings with the royal family risks damaging an already fragile relationship even further, royal expert tells the Mirror.
The backlash was sparked by bombshell claims in a new royal book, including the allegation that Queen Camilla once accused Meghan of “brainwashing” Harry. The biography also suggests the Prince and Princess of Wales viewed the former actress as “a threat more than an ally”.
The publication of an extract from Tom Bower’s book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, prompted a swift and scathing response from the Sussexes, who accused the author of writing a “deranged conspiracy” and of being “fixated” on them.
READ MORE: Beatrice and Eugenie ‘should lose royal titles’ in wake of Andrew scandalREAD MORE: Kate’s secret message to Camilla as she and William stray from tradition
Tom claims Harry’s stepmother said Meghan had ‘brainwashed’ him(Image: Matt Cardy)
But according to royal expert Ingrid Seward, the couple’s damning response is only likely to “stoke the fire” between them and the rest of the royal family, given the inflammatory comments both have made about The Firm in recent years.
“Harry doesn’t believe in just allowing things to calm down – he is very protective of Meghan and obviously extremely annoyed and angry,” Ingrid tells us. “The royal family probably do blame Meghan for everything that’s happened, and she may have told him to do something.
“But of course, all it does is make the story more juicy and keep the conversation going. It really doesn’t serve them.”
By slamming Tom’s book, Harry – who caused a global scandal upon the release of his own memoir, Spare, in 2023 – also risks accusations of hypocrisy.
“Harry’s response is slightly hypocritical because he doesn’t seem to recall what he’s said before,” reasons Ingrid. “If he’s going to make these very strong statements – and he doesn’t seem to think there’s a reason he shouldn’t – he needs to remember what he’s said previously, because it may come back and bite him.”
The Sussexes hit back at royal author Tom Bower after he released an excerpt of his new bombshell book(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
One of the most shocking allegations in Tom’s book is the claim that Camilla once told a friend “Meghan’s brainwashed Harry”. Tom adds that, the “jovial lad about town became possessed by seeking revenge”.
Ironically, Tom isn’t the first to write about the prince’s fractious relationship with his stepmother. Harry himself revealed in Spare how he and William had “begged” their father, King Charles, not to marry Camilla. He also branded her “dangerous”, alleging that she would leak sensitive information in a bid to rehabilitate her image, and famously claimed she “sacrificed” him on her “personal PR altar”.
Despite Harry and Meghan’s damning words in the past, the publication of Tom’s latest book triggered the couple to hit back with a blistering statement via their team.
“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,” it read.
“He [Bower] 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.”
But according to Ingrid, herself the author of several books on the royal family, Camilla’s “brainwashing” comment rings true.
“My guess is it’s exactly the sort of thing Camilla would have said – you don’t have to be Einstein to realise that,” she says. “Brainwashing is an expression of someone of Camilla’s age, certainly, and I’m assuming she probably said it to one of her ladies-in-waiting. Meghan is often a target because she’s so unpopular and appears to have rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way, so they don’t mind taking a swipe at her.”
However riled Harry and Meghan might be in light of the biography’s claims, Ingrid says Camilla is unlikely to lose any sleep over the allegations, given that she and Harry don’t share a strong bond.
The royal family is unlikely to respond publicly to any of the book’s claims, Ingrid says(Image: Mirrorpix)
“I don’t think there is a relationship between Harry and Camilla at this point,” she claims. “In the beginning, Camilla just tried to not interfere with their lives, which was her way of being a good stepmother, and I think was absolutely right.
“She knew they wouldn’t have particularly fond feelings toward her because, in their minds, it was because of her that their mother was so unhappy. Harry and William may have put the blame on Camilla, rather than their father, which is often the way in these situations.
“I think they might have found her an easy target because she wasn’t very popular when she first appeared, so she was easier to criticise. ”
In light of Harry’s recent attempts to build bridges with his family, including hopes that the King will play a pivotal role in next year’s Invictus Games, Ingrid says reacting strongly to criticism is unlikely to endear the prince to his father.
“While I don’t think Camilla will care very much, fuelling the fire isn’t going to help his relationship with his father, is it?” she says. “Either it is true, or it’s so preposterous it doesn’t bear thinking about. But either way, the royal family will keep quiet and not get involved, while Harry will remain furious.
Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal
WHATSAPP GROUP: Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our Royal WhatsApp here.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror’s Royal newsletter here to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.