Buckingham Palace Is ‘Looking Into’ Claims That Meghan Markle Bullied Staff Members

Ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, it looks like someone may be trying to cast aspersions at Markle’s character. 

On March 2, The Times of London published an article citing anonymous royal aides who worked for the Duchess of Sussex for two years. According to these aides, one of Markle’s advisers, communications secretary Jason Knauf, made a complaint against her in October 2018, alleging bullying behavior. The Times claims that Markle “drove out” two personal assistants and undermined a third.

After the Times story hit, Prince Harry and Markle released a statement via a spokesperson, saying, “The Duchess is 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. She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

Now Buckingham Palace is getting involved. “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” the palace said in a statement, according to People. “Accordingly, our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.”

The statement continues, “The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”

Per People, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s spokesperson also told The Times, “Let’s just call this what it is—a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet. It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.”