Harry and Meghan ‌have been estranged from the British royal family since stepping away from official duties in 2020 and moving to California, but continue to attract huge interest both ​in Britain and abroad.

In extracts from his new book published in ​the Times newspaper, author Tom Bower, who has written a ⁠number of biographies about the royals, said the couple began feuding ​with the other royals shortly after their glittering 2018 wedding.

The couple, the Duke ​and Duchess of Sussex, are now barely on speaking terms with the other royals, and Harry has rarely seen his father, King Charles, in recent years.

Bower wrote that ​Harry’s elder brother William and his wife Kate were alarmed by ​Meghan’s impact on him and regarded her as a threat.

“Meghan’s brainwashed Harry,” Camilla, the prince’s ‌stepmother, ⁠told a friend, according to the author.

According to the extracts, Harry was also shocked by the fall from grace of his uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who had lost all his titles and been ejected from his home over ​his links to ​the late convicted ⁠US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and feared his brother would likewise effectively banish him.

In an unusually strong response, ​a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said Bower’s commentary ​had “long crossed ⁠the line from criticism into fixation.”

“Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him,” the ⁠spokesperson said ​in a statement.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment ​on behalf of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

There was no immediate comment from representatives ​of Prince William and Kate.