In his forthcoming book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, Mr Bower delves into the ongoing, strained relationship between the couple and the Firm. One of the claims in the book, of which an extract has been serialised by The Times Magazine, involves Queen Camilla, who allegedly told a friend that Harry had been “brainwashed” by Meghan.
Now, a royal expert said the Sussexes’ furious statement largely stemmed from Prince Harry’s protective behaviour towards his wife, who was targeted plenty in the book.
But they added that his reaction was “hypocritical” after he, too, made bombshell claims about the royals in his own memoir, Spare.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward told New! Magazine: “Harry’s response is slightly hypocritical because he doesn’t seem to recall what he’s said before.
“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.”
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.”
“Their behaviour, lack of original talent and suffocating self-importance have made it even more important for them to return to Britain in July, meet the King and be revalidated as royals.”