Royal Expert Warns Sussexes' Rebuttal Could Deepen Family Divide
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued a scathing response to explosive allegations in a new royal biography, but a leading royal commentator warns this reaction may only exacerbate tensions within the royal household. The controversy centres on claims that Queen Camilla once told a confidante that Meghan Markle had "brainwashed" Prince Harry, alongside suggestions that the Prince and Princess of Wales viewed the former actress as "a threat more than an ally".
Bower's Book Prompts Fiery Sussex Rebuttal
An extract from Tom Bower's forthcoming book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, triggered an immediate and damning statement from the Sussexes' representatives. They labelled Bower's work a "deranged conspiracy" and accused the author of being "fixated" on them. According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, this forceful pushback is likely to "stoke the fire" in an already strained relationship between the couple and the rest of the royal family.
"Harry doesn't believe in just allowing things to calm down – he is very protective of Meghan and obviously extremely annoyed and angry," Seward explained. "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."
Hypocrisy Concerns and Camilla's Alleged Remarks
Seward further suggested that Prince Harry's vehement denial risks accusations of hypocrisy, given the global scandal caused by the release of his own memoir, Spare, in 2023. "Harry's response is slightly hypocritical because he doesn't seem to recall what he's said before," she reasoned. "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."
Bower's book alleges that Camilla made the "brainwashing" comment to a friend, noting that the "jovial lad about town became possessed by seeking revenge". Seward believes this allegation carries weight. "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 stated. "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."
Fractured Relationships and Future Implications
The expert highlighted the historically fraught dynamic between Harry and his stepmother, referencing the prince's own claims in Spare that he and William had "begged" their father not to marry Camilla, whom he branded "dangerous". Seward contends there is little relationship left to salvage. "I don't think there is a relationship between Harry and Camilla at this point," she claimed, suggesting Camilla's early hands-off approach as a stepmother was misinterpreted.
Despite Harry's recent efforts to rebuild bridges, including hopes for King Charles's involvement in next year's Invictus Games, Seward warned that this latest outburst could hinder reconciliation. "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 questioned. She predicted the royal family would maintain a dignified silence, leaving Harry to simmer in frustration while the public narrative continues unabated.
