Queen’s ‘Brainwashed’ Verdict on Meghan Markle Fuels Royal Tensions

Tom Bower’s latest book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, uncovers deep rifts within the monarchy, including a pointed claim from the late Queen that Meghan Markle had “brainwashed” Prince Harry before their departure as senior royals.

Escalating Family Divisions

Prince Harry reportedly transformed from a jovial figure to one driven by revenge after meeting Meghan. William and Kate viewed her as a divisive influence, noting her disappointment over Harry’s slim chances of becoming king and her own improbability of becoming queen.

To appease Meghan, Harry distanced himself from old friends and even changed his phone number without informing family members. His demeanor shifted toward emotional extremes, turning dislikes into deep-seated hatreds.

Camilla confided to a friend, “Meghan’s brainwashed Harry.” Tensions peaked between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of Harry and Meghan’s 2020 exit.

Harry expressed shock at Prince Andrew’s downfall linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Sources indicate Harry fears King William could strip the Sussexes of their titles and effectively exile them from Britain.

Sussexes Face Post-Royal Challenges

Six years after stepping back, the couple grapples with financial pressures after their Netflix partnership ended. Their 2020 deal, valued at over $100 million (£74 million), included a first-look agreement for Archewell projects.

Meghan’s debut series, With Love, Meghan, launched in March 2025 alongside her lifestyle brand As Ever, featuring products like raspberry jam. However, viewership data showed it failed to rank in Netflix’s top 1,000 programs.

As Ever recently gained full independence from Netflix backing. Conflicting accounts surround the split: one source claims Meghan sought complete control, maintaining good relations with Netflix executives like Ted Sarandos amid recent successes. A Los Angeles insider counters that Netflix grew dissatisfied with the brand’s lackluster performance and poor fit alongside hits like Squid Game, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton.

Other setbacks include criticism of their California wildfires visit as a photo opportunity and strains around the Invictus Games.

“From a PR perspective, the Sussex brand has always relied heavily on momentum and narrative,” stated Mayah Riaz, communications expert. “Now the public and platforms ask: what is the actual product? There’s wider fatigue around celebrity projects that prioritize personal branding over entertainment.”

The Sussexes plan a trip to Australia next month for engagements, though Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will stay behind.