Palace staffers retract bullying charges regarding Meghan Markle

One former royal staffer has come out with bullying allegations against Meghan Markle ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. According to The Times, former communications secretary Jason Knauf shared a report that Meghan drove two personal assistants away and eroded the trust of a third staff member, citing one of the royals’ close aides.

The couple responded at the time, calling the charges “a calculated smear campaign based on inaccurate and destructive misinformation.” They 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.”

Watchers close to Harry and Meghan’s situation recognized that the charges arrived just before their reveal. “Get your retaliation in first,” they added. The palace said that it was “extremely worried” by the allegations, and that it would initiate an inquiry.