Prince Harry and Meghan Markle issued a statement (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest statement over claims made in a new royal book proves that they’ve hit “a very raw nerve,” a royal expert has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued a furious new statement after parts of a new royal book, which includes bombshell claims about both of them, have been serialised online.
In his forthcoming book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, extracts of which have been serialised by The Times Magazine, Tom Bower delves into the ongoing, strained relationship between the Houses of Sussex and Windsor.
The magazine also cites alleged internal concerns, including from former Invictus Foundation head Dominic Reid, that sport and competitors were being overshadowed and that the Games had become “the Harry and Meghan show”. It cites the poor attendance of events and claims crowd “padding” took place for the cameras, as well as alleging that competitors and families were being overshadowed by tightly managed photo opportunities.
READ MORE: Meghan and Harry issue furious statement in repsonse to bombshell claims
READ MORE: Prince Harry hits back at bombshell new Invictus Games claims
The Sussexes hit back at Tom Bower’s claims (Image: Getty)
In response to The Times’ serialisation of Bower’s new book, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex issued a lengthy and fiery statement describing Mr Bower’s commentary as having “long crossed the line from criticism into fixation”.
Now, a royal expert has delved into the Sussex statement and said that not only does it show that Mr Bower’s words have “hit a very raw nerve” but the book could also open “fresh wounds” between the couple and the Firm.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told the Mirror: “It’s rare these days to get any kind of response from Harry and Meghan, they prefer instead to ignore the noise and the gossip. But this time the pushback has been both swift and blistering. Their spokesperson accused Bower of ‘deranged conspiracy and melodrama’.”
She said that the first extracts of the book talk about Harrys’ “two great passions,” his wife and the Invictus Games.
Ms Bond added that while “there’s nothing wrong” with Harry defending his wife, “his reignited fury and this new spotlight on all that has gone wrong over the past few years has the potential to open up fresh wounds”.
In his new book, Mr Bower alleges that Meghan issued a furious 11-word remark to Prince William during a reconciliation meeting between the two and their partners after the Sussexes’ honeymoon in 2018.
Mr Bower delves into the reconciliation meeting between the two couples during which Meghan allegedly “snapped” at William, telling him: “If you don’t mind, get your finger out of my face.”
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The book also delves into Queen Camilla’s dislike of Meghan. It alleges that the Queen allegedly told a friend that the Duchess had “brainwashed Harry”.
Elsewhere in the book, Mr Bower makes some explosive claims about how Meghan allegedly wanted to use Prince Harry’s Invictus Games platform as a “global stage for genuine admiration and cheering fans”.
In response to The Times’ serialisation of Bower’s new book, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said: “Mr Bower’s commentary has long crossed the line from criticism into fixation. 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.
“He 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.”
A spokesperson for the Invictus Games Foundation said: “It is disappointing to see The Times give prominence to commentary that appears driven by a long-established agenda rather than a genuine understanding of the Invictus Games and the community it supports. 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.”