Show me the evidence.. Meg bites back at ‘bully’ claims
Tension as Queen calls in outside lawyers
THE Duchess of Sussex wants to see evidence of bullying claims against her as she fights back against what she says is a “smear campaign” by Buckingham Palace.
Royal staff have decided a third party should take charge of a probe into claims that, while working as a royal, Meghan bullied two aides so badly they quit.
As the Palace brings in external investigators to examine the allegations, Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, reportedly want to see documents, emails or text messages about the case.
Initially, the Palace had said the probe would be carried out in-house but fears that the outcome would not be seen as impartial forced courtiers into a rethink.
The complaint against Meghan was first made in October 2018, by Jason Knauf, then the Sussexes’ communications secretary, who wrote in an email to a courtier: “I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year.”
He said Meghan had undermined the confidence of a third aide and described her behaviour as “totally unacceptable”.
Meghan denies the allegation and sources say she has “written to request the evidence”. The Queen passed the request to Prince Charles. His aides are now searching files.
It has also emerged that Harry and his brother Prince William have “been in contact” for the first time since last week’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In it, the Sussexes made allegations of racism in the Royal Family and of being cut off financially. Meghan told how she had suicidal thoughts while pregnant with son Archie, now one.
Supporters of Prince Charles accused Harry of hypocrisy, challenging his claim that his father had “cut him off ” financially.
They said Charles was “deeply hurt” by Harry’s remarks in the interview but had since resolved to “mend the broken relationship” with his son.
It is understood the Prince of Wales, 72, plans to contact Harry. “His mood is that of a father, not that of a statesman,” one friend was reported as saying. “You are looking at a father who is deeply hurt by where he finds his relationship with his son. He also realises that nothing good will come of prolonging the fight.
“Charles has a real desire to get back to the close relationship that he enjoyed with Harry for the longest time.”
ITV has been forced to edit part of the Oprah interview after it was revealed headlines supposedly showing British press coverage of the couple as racist were manipulated by production staff.
Speculation also mounted yesterday that Meghan is considering launching a political career and is networking among senior US Democrats, intending to build a campaign and fundraising teams.
Sources said she ultimately might want to run for the White House.
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Charles has a real desire to get back to the close relationship they had
FRIEND OF PRINCE OF WALES ON HARRY RIFT