Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive reaction to fresh criticism about their dealings with the Royal Family risks damaging an already fragile relationship even further, an expert has claimed. The backlash was sparked by bombshell claims in a new royal book by Tom Bower, including the allegation that Queen Camilla once accused Meghan of “brainwashing” her now husband.

According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, in light of Harry’s recent attempts to build bridges with his family, including hopes that the King will play a pivotal role in next year’s Invictus Games, responding to criticisms won’t help matters.

She said: “While I don’t think Camilla will care very much, fuelling the fire isn’t going to help his relationship with his father, is it?”

Speaking to New! Magazine, Ms Seward added: “Either it is true, or it’s so preposterous it doesn’t bear thinking about. But either way, the royal family will keep quiet and not get involved, while Harry will remain furious.

She also added that Camilla and Harry never shared a strong bond. Ms Seward added: “I don’t think there is a relationship between Harry and Camilla at this point.

“In the beginning, Camilla just tried not to interfere with their lives, which was her way of being a good stepmother, and I think it was absolutely right. She knew they wouldn’t have particularly fond feelings toward her because, in their minds, it was because of her that their mother was so unhappy.”

“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,” it read.

One of the most shocking allegations in Tom’s book, ‘Bower’s book Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family’, is the claim that Camilla once told a friend, “Meghan’s brainwashed Harry”. Tom adds that, the “jovial lad about town became possessed by seeking revenge”.

Harry himself revealed in Spare how he and William had “begged” their father, King Charles, not to marry Camilla.

He also branded her “dangerous”, alleging that she would leak sensitive information in a bid to rehabilitate her image, and famously claimed she “sacrificed” him on her “personal PR altar”.