Royal author Tom Bower has responded to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s dismissal of his upcoming book as “deranged conspiracy and melodrama.” Bower criticized the couple’s lack of original talent and self-importance following a controversial article in Variety, which explored the backstory of the Sussexes’ collaboration with Netflix.
In an interview with Express, Bower stated that the Variety article aligns with the themes in his book, Betrayal, indicating that the Sussexes are approaching a critical juncture in Hollywood. He emphasized the importance of their return to Britain in July to meet with the King and reaffirm their royal status, but expressed doubt that this option would be available to them, foreseeing a challenging future as a consequence of their actions post-Megxit.
The Sussexes swiftly rebutted the initial claims made in Bower’s book, denouncing him for crossing the line from criticism to fixation. They highlighted his history of constructing elaborate theories about individuals he has never met. The couple suggested that those seeking sensationalism would find Bower’s work appealing, while those seeking facts should look elsewhere.
Among the book’s revelations was the claim that Queen Camilla confided in a friend about Meghan’s influence over Harry. The allegations made in Bower’s book were further amplified by a recent report by Variety, which suggested that Netflix had been taken aback by the Sussexes’ Oprah Winfrey interview and had concerns about Prince Harry’s memoir release.
The Sussexes’ spokesperson refuted claims that Netflix was uninformed about the Oprah interview, stressing that legal counsel was involved in overseeing the deal evolution. Similarly, accusations about Netflix’s apprehension regarding Prince Harry’s memoir were dismissed as Meghan clarified that there was open communication with Netflix months in advance to coordinate timing between the book and their docuseries release.
The report also touched on Netflix ending its collaboration with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, allowing her to independently grow the brand. Additionally, it mentioned a revised Netflix agreement with the couple, described as a “first look” deal that provided flexibility in content distribution.
In light of the ongoing controversies and revelations, the future for the Sussexes in Hollywood remains uncertain, with conflicting narratives and differing perspectives shaping public opinion on their royal departure and subsequent ventures.