Duchess authorised aide to brief biographers
THE Duchess of Sussex authorised a senior aide to brief her biographers on her estranged family, including how her half-sister lost custody of her children, her damaged relationship with her father, and her private discussions with the Queen about a tiara.
The Duchess wrote a long email to Jason Knauf, her then press secretary, with “helpful” reminders for his meeting with the authors of Finding Freedom, from her joy at living in Windsor to a denial she worked with a stylist.
In a series of emails made public in the Court of Appeal yesterday, the Duchess detailed her relationship with her half-siblings on her father’s side, who had criticised her to the press after she entered into a relationship with Prince Harry.
The courts had previously been told the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had not collaborated on the unauthorised biography. Mr Knauf, in a witness statement to the court, said the couple were aware of the book and that it was discussed on a “routine basis”, with the couple authorising “specific co-operation in writing” in Dec 2018.
“The book was discussed directly with the Duchess multiple times in person and over email,” he added.
Emails sent on Dec 10 of that year show Mr Knauf sending the Duchess a list of briefing points the authors, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, wanted to discuss, telling her: “If you’re happy I will see them later this week to set out the factual background and to provide more recent context.”
In reply, the Duchess provided information on numerous points, including her relationship with her half-siblings, her father, and the Sussexes’ royal living arrangements. She also went into detail about the “very special story” of how she chose her wedding tiara with the Queen, sharing that Her Majesty agreed her granddaughter-in-law’s final choice was “perfect”.
Writing in the third person about her relationship with her father’s older children, Thomas Jr and Samantha Markle, the Duchess said she had “never had a relationship” with either of them and was considered an only child. “Upon Meghan dating Harry, Samantha changed her last name back to Markle, and began a career creating stories to sell to the press,” the Duchess wrote.
“She had lost custody of all three of her children from different fathers, and though the press had been back briefed about the non-relationship with Meghan they continued to give her media opportunities.”
Claiming both half-siblings “dropped out of high school”, she added: “Meghan has never known their birthdates or middle names and vice-versa.
“The family was raised very estranged and the profile of Meghan’s relationship created an opportunity for all of the Markles.”
Of her father, the Duchess said she had supported him “in spite of his reclusiveness” but – after he “crumbled” under media pressure ahead of her wedding – they now “no longer have a relationship” despite her “countless efforts” to support him.
On the topic of the Sussexes’ living arrangements, she noted that “the Queen offered Windsor which the couple gratefully accepted”, adding they are “very happy to have the space and privacy that Windsor affords”.
The Duchess also asked that a tabloid story about a row over her wedding tiara be corrected, saying: “There was no conversation about any other tiara as a preference. Meghan loved the one she wore and it remains a very special memory.” She added: “Also Meghan does not work with a stylist; [redacted] is her close friend.”
In her own witness statement, the Duchess said of her briefing note: “Nothing I shared with Mr Knauf was special nor exclusive for these authors, nor did I think he would relay it directly as stated; what he relayed was entirely at his discretion.”
Saying she had responded to just five of the 19 suggested briefing points forwarded to her, she added: “As for my father, I said very little beyond confirming that I no longer had a relationship with him, which was already widely reported in the media, and nothing at all about my communications with him, let alone about the letter or its contents.”