Harry and Meghan unleash on Palace in blistering public statement

Harry and Meghan have unleashed on the royals in a blistering new statement, as Meghan faces shocking allegations before her Oprah tell-all.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hit back at Buckingham Palace in a blistering public statement, as Meghan faces bullying allegations from inside the palace just days before her Oprah Winfrey tell-all.

The Times of London revealed the Duchess of Sussex had been the subject of an official bullying complaint in October of 2018, which accused her of mistreating her staff.

The public reveal of the claims almost two and a half years later comes days before Harry and Meghan’s two-hour tell-all interview with Winfrey, which will air on 7:30pm Monday on Ten here in Australia.

An explosive new clip from the interview released today sees Meghan slamming “the Firm” for “perpetuating falsehoods about us,” declaring that she will not be silenced.

Oprah has promised that no topic is off-limits in Monday’s tell-all. Picture: CBS

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Responding to The Times’ story, the Sussexes’ lawyers told the newspaper it was “being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative”.

“Let’s just call this what it is: a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” a spokesperson for the couple added in a statement.

“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.

Through lawyers, the couple have called the claims an “attack on Meghan’s character.” Picture: Ben STANSALL / AFP

“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.”

In turn, Buckingham Palace has announced its HR team will investigate the allegations, which came to light as sources told The Times that Meghan had reduced staffers to tears when she lived at Kensington Palace following her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.

“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 after the Times article was published.

“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.

Buckingham Palace says it will investigate these allegations against Meghan. Picture: AFP

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“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.”

Two senior members of palace staff were allegedly bullied into leaving their jobs, while another royal aide who had been anticipating a confrontation with Meghan allegedly told a colleague: “I can’t stop shaking.” A third former aide alleged they were “humiliated” by Meghan, while another described the Duchess’ alleged behaviour as “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation, which I guess could also be called bullying”.