UK: Sussexes fought bullying allegations

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent a 25-page rebuttal against allegations that Meghan Markle had bullied members of the royal household.

The duchess has always denied the allegations of bullying. Picture: Netflix

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent a 25-page rebuttal against allegations that Meghan Markle had bullied members of the royal household.

Harry’s forthcoming memoir Spare relates his view that the personal offices of his family members were orchestrating a media campaign to depict his wife as a “tyrant”.

In 2021 The Times reported a claim by Jason Knauf, the couple’s communications secretary, that the duchess had driven two personal assistants out of the household and was undermining the confidence of a third staff member.

One former employee claimed to have been “humiliated” by the duchess, while another aide said it felt “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation, which I guess could also be called bullying”. The complaint was passed to the then Duke of Cambridge’s private secretary, and to Clarence House.

Knauf wrote in the email that Samantha Carruthers, the head of human resources, had “agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious”.

He added he worried “the duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights”.

After noting the stress experienced by Samantha Cohen, the couple’s private secretary, Knauf wrote: “I questioned if the Household policy on bullying and harassment applies to principals.”

The Sussexes former private secretary Samantha Cohen. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

Jason Knauf, former Communications Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The duchess has always denied the allegations of bullying.

Buckingham Palace was accused repeatedly of having “buried” its report into the allegations. It said “lessons have been learnt”, but refused to say what those lessons were.

In his memoir Harry writes about the allegations made against his wife, saying: “It was so outrageous . . . Even though Meg and I demonstrated their lie with a 25-page report to human resources full of evidence, it was going to be very hard for me to ignore it.”

According to a Spanish edition of the book, which was accidentally released early, he revealed she would send personal thank-you notes to staff.

Harry said his wife also “shared all the freebies” she received - such as clothes, perfume and make-up - with the women in the office, according to The Mail on Sunday, which has seen an English version.

Working royals usually send back gifts from companies but can, however, accept them in certain circumstances.

The duchess also bought radiators and lamps to warm up the office with her own credit card, Harry wrote.

The Times