Cruel royal insiders described Prince Harry as “Meghan’s hostage”, according to a new book.
They also said the Duke of Sussex had Stockholm Syndrome - when victims develop feelings for their captors - in jokes made behind the couple’s back.
The aides made it clear they hold Meghan Markle responsible for the king’s youngest son quitting royal duties and jetting off for a new life in the USA.
A new book by author Robert Jobson goes into more detail as to the strength of feeling against the American Duchess.
As part of a serialisation in the Mail, Mr Jobson says: “Some blame Meghan Markle for the fallout, ignoring the fact that Harry seems to be the driving force in everything that happened.
“There was a point when officials joked Harry was the victim of Stockholm syndrome, and he was Meghan’s hostage, but now most just feel Harry has turned his back on everything he has known.”
It comes as it was reported Queen Elizabeth II believed Prince Harry was "so consumed" by his love for Meghan Markle it "clouded his judgement", the book claimed.
The late monarch was "mystified" by the Sussexes' behaviour when they started speaking out against the Royal Family, and believed the couple were "quite mad ", royal correspondent Robert Jobson wrote in his new book 'Our King'.
She was "let down" not only because Harry decided to step down as a senior royal, but also because she saw the couple's departure as "a missed opportunity", Mr Jobson added.
Despite being disappointed, however, the Queen had "great affection" for Harry and hoped he would "find peace and happiness" after moving to the US with Meghan.
An extract of the book, serialised in the Daily Mail, reads: "In truth, by the time his grandmother died, Harry had precious few supporters left in the family. Even the Queen, who had always had great affection for him, eventually tired of his outbursts.
"First, she had wearied of the volatile exchanges between Harry and his brother, which sometimes took place in her presence. Then Harry and Meghan had started publicly criticising both the monarchy and members of the Royal Family.
"At that point, the Queen was frankly mystified by the couple’s behaviour, describing it as 'quite mad'. She came to believe, however, that her grandson was 'so consumed' by his love for his wife that it was 'clouding his judgement'."
