Buckingham Palace said Wednesday, it was launching an investigation after a newspaper reported that a former aide had made a bullying allegation against Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. The Times of London reported allegations that the duchess drove out two personal assistants and left staff feeling “humiliated.” It said an official complaint was made by Jason Knauf, then the communications secretary to Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry. He now works for Harry’s elder brother, Prince William.
The palace said it was “clearly very concerned” about the allegations and said it “does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment”. The bullying allegations were reported four days before the scheduled broadcast of an Oprah Winfrey interview with Meghan, which is anticipated to draw a huge audience. It also comes less than two weeks after the palace announced that the couple’s split from official duties would be final. A spokesperson for the duchess called the allegations a “calculated smear campaign” ahead of the interview. The complaint was made in October 2018, while the duke and duchess were living at Kensington Palace. A leaked email sent from a staff member, which was published by the newspaper, alleges that Meghan drove two personal assistants out of the household. The report claims she undermined the confidence of a third member of staff.
Harry and Meghan issued a statement denying that she had bullied anyone. Meanwhile, Meghan was “saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma,” according to the spokesperson.
