Harry and Meghan fire back after bombshell allegations in Bower biography

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are still two of the most talked-about public figures connected to the British royal family. Since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020, the couple have built a new life in California with media and charitable projects. Their story continues to attract intense global attention and, this time, they have something to say about it.

A new book sparking controversy

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

The global attention has intensified again with the release of a new royal biography by author Tom Bower. His book 'Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family' explores Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the monarchy. Early extracts have been published by The Times and also have been widely reported by BBC News, The Guardian, and the Mirror. Just like in all royal books, there are some eyebrow raisers and some bombshell revelations.

The author behind the reveal

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Tom Bower is known for writing investigative biographies about powerful public figures, especially the Sussexes. He previously published 'Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors' in 2022. His new book, once again, focuses on the Sussexes and their place within the royal story.

Queen Camilla's comment

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

One of the most widely quoted lines from the book involves Queen Camilla. Bower writes that she told a friend: “Meghan’s brainwashed Harry”, as was stated in The Times. The comment quickly became one of the most discussed passages in the early extracts and it has certainly caught the attention of the world press.

Harry’s behaviour

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

The book suggests that Harry’s behaviour began to shift during the early years of his relationship with Meghan. Bower writes: 'Meghan had become a divisive agent. To please her, Harry was ignoring his old friends. He even changed his telephone number without telling his family”', as The Times extract tells us.

A different side of Harry?

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Bower also describes what he sees as a change in Harry’s personality. He writes: “The jovial lad about town became possessed by seeking revenge”. According to the book, Harry’s emotions became increasingly heated during this period of the early relationship.

Growing royal tensions

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

The biography describes rising tensions between the Sussexes and other senior members of the royal family. Bower writes that Meghan became a “divisive agent” and was seen as a “threat” as BBC News reports. These tensions were then building in the years before the couple moved to the United States.

William’s early concerns

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Prince William is shown in the book as having early doubts about the relationship. Bower writes that William warned his brother: “It's gone too quickly”. The author says Catherine shared the same concerns.

A meeting that changed everything

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

One meeting between the couples is described as a turning point. The conversation reportedly took place at Kensington Palace after Harry and Meghan returned from their honeymoon in 2018 as The Guardian points out. The meeting between William, Catherine, Harry and Meghan was intended to calm tensions but quickly became heated.

A dramatic exchange

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

According to the book, the discussion escalated during the meeting. Bower writes that Meghan told Prince William: “If you don't mind, get your finger out of my face”, a key example of the growing friction between the families.

Concerns about royal titles

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Bower's book also explores Harry’s worries about the future of his royal role. Bower writes: “Rightly, Harry fears that the future King William could remove all the Sussexes' titles and effectively banish him from Britain”.

Royal scandals

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Another section reflects on the fallout surrounding Prince Andrew: “The unpredicted and unimagined humiliation of Andrew shocked Harry”, as The Guardian reports in bower's book. Could this be how Harry is now viewing the monarchy?

A new life in America

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California to do their own thing. Since then, they have built new careers across media and their work has included major deals with companies such as Netflix and Spotify.

The Invictus Games

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

The book also discusses the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry for wounded military veterans. Bower writes that Meghan “needed a global stage for genuine admiration and cheering fans”. It is a bit of a scathing comment that the Mirror reported, quoting The Times extract.

Titles and protocol

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Bower writes that organisers asked: “How should we address them?” The book also describes conversations among organisers about how to address the couple. According to the extract, the response was: “Meghan insists on ‘Ma’am’ and Harry should be called ‘Sir’.”

Criticism around public appearances

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

Readers also get a few highlights of criticism from some commentators which bower has included in the story. Filmmaker Justine Bateman wrote online: “Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers”. She added: “What a repulsive ‘photo op’ they achieved.”

Harry and Meghan push back

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

The Sussexes strongly rejected the narrative presented in the book. Their spokesperson said: “Mr Bower's commentary has long crossed the line from criticism into fixation” . The statement was released shortly after the extracts appeared in the press.

A retaliation

Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, A new book sparking controversy, The author behind the reveal, Queen Camilla's comment, Harry’s behaviour, A different side of Harry?, Growing royal tensions, William’s early concerns, A meeting that changed everything, A dramatic exchange, Concerns about royal titles, Royal scandals, A new life in America, The Invictus Games, Titles and protocol, Criticism around public appearances, Harry and Meghan push back, A retaliation

They didn't stop there, going ahead and completely criticising the tone of the biography. Their spokesperson said: “Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him”, as reported by The Guardian. Well, comments like that will certainly draw attention.