Meaghan and Harry: Persecutors or Victims

This is an updated version of a book Lady Colin Campbell wrote about 5  years ago. It was published about a week ago. She has added  "persecutors or victims" to the title. Since I follow the author's YouTube Channel I am familiar with her rigorous research methods and have heard many positive reviews of the book. Thus, I picked up this book.

The publisher's summary:

The fall from popular grace of Prince Harry, the previously adulated brother of the heir to the British throne, as a consequence of his marriage to the beautiful and dynamic Hollywood actress and "Suits star" Meghan Markle, makes for fascinating reading in this groundbreaking book from Lady Colin Campbell, who is the New York Times bestselling biographer of books on Princess Diana, the Queen Mother, and Queen Elizabeth’s marriage.

With a unique breadth of insight, Lady Colin Campbell goes behind the scenes, speaking to friends, relations, courtiers, and colleagues on both sides of the Atlantic to reveal the most unexpected royal story since King Edward VIII's abdication. She highlights the dilemmas involved and the issues that lurk beneath the surface, revealing why the couple decided to step down as senior royals. She analyses the implications of the actions of a young and ambitious Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in love with each other and with the empowering lure of fame and fortune, and leads the reader through the maze of contradictions Meghan and Harry have created—while also evoking the Californian culture that has influenced the couple's conduct.

Meghan and Harry: The Real Story exposes how the royal couple tried and failed to change the royal system—by adapting it to their own needs and ambitions—and, upon failing, how they decided to create a new system—and life—for themselves.

There are several bombshell exposes in  the book. I will mention a few of them so this is your SPOILER ALERT. Note, though, that in this revised edition the author is giving her sources. She did not do that in the original book. The first chapter begins with her research into Meghan's mother Doria Loyce Ragland. She writes that Doria Loyce Ragland was convicted of fraud in California and sentenced to prison. She provides the court case number as well as an inmate number for Doria Loyce Ragland. The implication is, of course, that this is Meghan's mother. I think we can safely say that because of Doria's unusual name that this court record pertains to Meghan's mother. However, the author put in a disclaimer over assuming this inmate was Meghan's mother. The conviction occurred around the time that Doria began to be absent from her daughter's life for 10 years.  

Another bombshell pertains to who Princess Diana was referring to in a TV interview where she stated "there were three of us in this marriage so it was a bit crowded."  Most of us have always assumed this was Camilla Parker-Bowles. The author, however, said Diana was referring to her children's nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke.  The reason Diana felt threatened by Tiggy is because she was from an aristocratic family and, thus, was entitled to hold the princess of Wales title. Camilla was not entitled because she came from a commoner family. 

There is one bombshell that the author did not believe herself but she put it in the book. I am not sure why.  I am sure, though, that she inserted it into the text for a reason. This bombshell takes up four pages. Her source is a friend of Prince Harry. This source said Prince Harry was his source. What's the bombshell?  It is that Meghan's father Thomas Markle "interfered with her" while she was growing up. Very interesting. 

The book is a great read. The last chapter is devoted to the persecutors or victims question. Obviously, the author takes the persecutors viewpoint. Her reasonings are well substantiated and I highly recommend the book. 5 out of 5 stars.