Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are deeply hurt following the comments made by royal author Tom Bower, which led to the explosive response from the couple, according to a royal commentator.
Mr Bower claimed in his new book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, that Queen Camilla allegedly told a friend, “Meghan brainwashed Harry".
The claim sparked a furious response from the Sussexes in which they hit back, telling GB News: “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, in The - once respected - Times".
Tom Bower's comments hit a nerve according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond
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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, has said following the explosive row: “Whatever the truth behind Tom Bower’s explosive account of the continuing tensions between the Sussexes and the Windsor household, one thing is for sure: his words have hit a very raw nerve.
“For Harry, any attack on his wife is treason and provokes a visceral response: he will defend her to the end of the earth. And there’s nothing wrong with that".
Recent weeks have been difficult for the royal couple after Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, split from streaming giant Netflix.
Following the split, Netflix insiders claimed: “The Sussexes' perceived pattern of selling repackaged versions of the same story about their exit from royal life has exhausted Netflix.
“Their partnership may continue to taper off, and with it will Meghan and Harry's remaining showbusiness lifeline".
One insider explained to Variety that “the mood in the building is 'we're done'".
Ms Bond spoke on the source claims, saying: “Given that Harry and Meghan are now pretty much regarded as celebrities rather than royal, the brutal takedown by Variety will hurt.
Camilla allegedly told a friend 'Meghan brainwashed Harry' | GETTY/PA“It is, after all, Hollywood‘s entertainment bible and as such it carries a lot of influence. The criticism of the couple - and particularly of Meghan - appears to be gleaned from multiple sources, which does suggest there’s some truth in it.
“It must have been a hard read for the Sussexes. I’m sure they’re extremely annoyed, rather hurt and pretty fed up, but I think Meghan is a real fighter and she’s doing everything she can to make her As Ever brand a success. I think she’ll probably succeed".
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Turning her attention back to Mr Bower’s book, Ms Bond concluded to the Mirror: “I don’t think the Royal Family will take much notice of Tom Bower‘s book or of the Variety article.
“I truly believe they have more to think about and deal with than Harry and Meghan‘s perceived popularity problem. But, if they do see the headlines, a natural reaction would be to think ‘Well, you’ve made your bed, now lie in it’".
Netflix Chief Content Officer spoke on the streamer's relationship with Meghan following the report.
Netflix Chief Content Officer has set the record straight following reports Netflix was "done" with the Duchess of Sussex
| GETTYBela Bajaria, confirmed at an event: “We still have a relationship with them. We have movies in development with them. We have an amazing doc with them.
“They have things in development on the TV and film side. Deals come and go all the time, and we don’t renew so many deals, those just don’t get as much press for obvious reasons. There’s no juicy story there".
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