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Years after bullying claims against Meghan Markle surfaced in leaked emails, Palace aides are voicing their experiences working with the Duchess of Sussex. Back in 2021, Buckingham Palace launched an investigation into reports that Meghan drove out two personal assistants and humiliated a staff member on occasions during her stay in Kensington Palace. These reports of the duchess’ aggressive behaviour were further aggravated by leaked email correspondence sent by former communications secretary Jason Knauf corroborating the reports, with a former aide even describing Harry and Meghan as “outrageous bullies.”
Just days after the bullying controversy rocked the palace, and the media, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. In the explosive interview, the Sussexes targeted the firm, claiming the duchess endured bullying during her stay in the palace as a senior royal. This portrayal of herself as the victim made the bullying controversy an unresolved mystery, especially with the Palace’s continued silence on the subject.
Royal Aides Validate Claims of Meghan Markle’s Bullying
Three years after the big blowup, palace insiders with direct knowledge of the incident are sharing their version of events. Samantha Cohen, a former palace aide revealed that the Palace interviewed her, among others amid the claims of bullying against Meghan Markle. The Australian native explained how back in 2017, the palace appointed her to help the newly-engaged Meghan Markle become accustomed to life as a royal.
Working with Meghan proved daunting, so much that she found herself eager to resign. However, the palace could not find a replacement, prompting Samantha’s stay to extend to 18 months, as against the initially planned six months. Even then, other staff after her could hardly stand the Duchess of Sussex’s behaviour. The former Buckingham Palace staffer explained,
“I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18. We couldn’t find a replacement for me, and when we did, we took them on tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes, but they left (quit) as well while in Africa.”
Palace Findings Is Not Much of a Mystery Anymore
The emails sent by Jason Knauf appeared to explain the reason behind this continuous departure of staff members. The former communications secretary, in his notes, claimed one of the staff who left as a result of bullying, admitted dealing with Meghan Markle made her feel sick. Another was cited as saying, “I can’t stop shaking,” adding that she felt terrified.
However, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s representatives have since denied the bullying claims. When the news first went public, a rep for the Sussexes ruled the allegations as another attack on Meghan’s character. Harry doubled down on this rejection in his memoir, Spare. Even then, the Palace failed to voice its verdict on the issue.
Author, Tom Bower claimed the palace kept their findings private “to protect those taking part.” It seems as time progresses, the “Sussex Survivors’ Club” feel compelled to share their truth with the world, as voicing it years back in the palace investigation only made them unwilling participants in the royals’ thirst for secrecy.