Palace verdict on Meghan bullying claims may be delayed until next year

Results of investigation into allegations Meghan Markle bullied royal staff were expected this week, but inquiry continues.

Meghan and Harry return to Buckingham Palace after the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour', in London in 2019. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

Buckingham Palace’s investigation into claims that the Duchess of Sussex bullied royal staff is still under way after more than three months, it has emerged.

Results from the highly sensitive inquiry, which is being conducted by an independent law firm, were expected to be announced in the annual Sovereign Grant report to be published this week. But royal sources have confirmed the investigation is “ongoing”.

It means the palace may seek to delay the findings until next year’s report, or explore another way of addressing suggested changes to its human resources policies and procedures resulting from the inquiry, which is being paid for privately.

The unprecedented investigation, which escalated tensions between the Sussexes and the palace, was launched in March after it emerged that two senior members of staff claimed they were bullied by Meghan during her time as a working royal.

Another former employee said they had been “humiliated” and claimed two members of staff had been bullied. One aide claimed it felt “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation, which I guess could also be called bullying”.

Buckingham Palace said it would “not tolerate bullying and harassment” and was “very concerned by the allegations” that Meghan, 39, forced out two personal assistants and undermined the confidence of a third, claims that she denies.

The original complaint was made in October 2018 by Jason Knauf, who was then communications secretary for the Sussexes is now chief executive of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Foundation.

In a formal complaint via email to a senior courtier, he said: “I am very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year,” describing her behaviour as “totally unacceptable”. He added: “The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights [and] I remain concerned that nothing will be done”. In the email, Knauf also questioned “if the household policy on bullying and harassment applies to principals”.

The email was forwarded to the HR department but the complaint did not progress. The palace has faced criticism for failing to take action.

Buckingham Palace originally planned an internal investigation led by its own HR department, but later opted to outsource the inquiry, raising tensions further with the Sussexes.

When the allegations emerged, lawyers for the duchess said the reports were a “calculated smear campaign” before the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.

A spokesman for Meghan said: “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.”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

The Times