A newly released biography about Prince Harry has sparked controversy after the Duke of Sussex’s spokesperson dismissed its claims as a “deranged conspiracy,” intensifying the ongoing
debate surrounding his relationship with the British royal family.
The book, written by royal biographer Tom Bower, includes claims that Queen Camilla allegedly told a friend that Harry had been “brainwashed” by his wife, Meghan Markle. The remarks appear in extracts published by The Times, drawing immediate backlash from the Sussexes’ camp.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, a move that widened the divide between them and the rest of the monarchy. Despite their distance from royal life, the couple continues to attract significant global attention.
According to Bower’s account, tensions within the royal family began soon after Harry and Meghan’s high-profile wedding in 2018. The book claims that Harry’s older brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, were uneasy about Meghan’s influence and reportedly saw her as a potential threat to family dynamics.
The biography also suggests that Harry has had limited contact with his father, King Charles III, in recent years. Relations between the Sussexes and senior royals are described as strained, with communication reportedly minimal.
In response, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan strongly rejected Bower’s portrayal, accusing the author of crossing “the line from criticism into fixation.”
“Those interested in facts will look elsewhere,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him.”
The book also references the downfall of Harry’s uncle, Prince Andrew, whose reputation collapsed following his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to the extracts, Harry was troubled by the situation and feared he could face similar exclusion from royal circles.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the claims involving the King and Queen. Representatives for Prince William and Kate also did not immediately respond.
The controversy surrounding the biography highlights the enduring public fascination with royal family tensions—particularly those involving Harry and Meghan—years after their dramatic departure from official royal life. Photo by Mykola Swarnyk, Wikimedia commons.