Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 'scathing' one-word comment about Meghan unearthed in new biography

It appears that tension has been brewing between the royal family and its black sheep, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, for a number of years.

In his new book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, royal author Tom Bower details a fraught interaction between the disgraced former royal and Prince Harry on the way to King Charles' coronation in 2023.

It is alleged that the former Duke of York made a scathing remark about Prince Harry's wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex – leaving his nephew up in arms as a result.

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In one passage of the book, Bower describes the "awkward atmosphere" during the car ride to Westminster Abbey, due in part to reports that Andrew had dubbed Meghan an "opportunist."

In an excerpt from Betrayal, Bower wrote: "In the driving rain, Harry arrived at the abbey with Andrew. The disgraced Prince was, at the time, still refusing the King's order to move to Frogmore from Royal Lodge, the mansion he occupied with his ex-wife, Sarah."

"Relations between the uncle and his nephew were not good. In some accounts, Andrew had scathingly dismissed Meghan as an 'opportunist.'"

In a separate passage, Bower alleged that even Prince William had described Meghan as a "threat" to the family prior to the couple's infamous "Megxit" split.

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In response to Bower's claims, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex later issued a statement refuting them.

The lengthy release stated that Bower had "crossed the line from criticism into fixation," by publishing the explosive biography.

"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."

"[Bower] has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met," it continued.

"Those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find him."

Further reports of the former Prince's "rude" behaviour have also been widely circulated in recent months.

As per Betrayal, "a report had emerged of Andrew's extraordinary rudeness to Robin Barnett, the deputy ambassador at the British embassy in Warsaw."

Bower went on to allege that Andrew had "spectacularly humiliated" Barnett, mocking the diplomat's limp resulting from a club foot.

According to recent speculation from The Mirror's Royal Editor, Russell Myers, the disgraced ex-royal's family had long grown tired of his behaviour.

Speaking on A Right Royal Podcast about the nature of Prince Harry and Prince William's relationship with their uncle, Myers claimed that they'd "never been close."

"William has not been Andrew's biggest fan to put it mildly, and neither is Harry. They never really had a close relationship with him.

"Time and time again, it would come up from people I spoke to for the book. William's personal feelings were that Andrew is a bit of an ignoramus."

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