Uneasy truce while Sussexes stay silent over bullying report
Buckingham Palace and the Sussexes appear to have called a public truce over a controversial bullying report, after its contents were kept secret from the public.
The palace has blocked details of a report into the handling of bullying allegations made against the Duchess of Sussex in 2018, with its limited findings kept hidden from even those who contributed.
In response, Prince Harry and wife Meghan will make no public comment on the unresolved allegations, despite previously authorising the strongest of statements defending Meghan.
The unusual silence on either side has led to speculation that the palace and the Sussexes, who work closely with their lawyers, are both moving to downplay the long-running dispute. Both sides are understood to be hopeful of drawing a line under the episode.
Those involved in the review, said to involve half a dozen one-time members of the Sussexes’ staff, have so far remained tightlipped about the details of the duchess’ alleged behaviour in 2018.
A senior palace source yesterday confirmed that the findings of an independent review into how staff handled allegations of bullying made against the duchess would not be made public.
Those who shared their experiences have been told only that the review has concluded, and that internal ‘‘policies and procedures’’ will be changed as a result.
Most have now left the Royal Household, leaving them without access to the royal intranet, on which they could see any updated bullying and harassment policies.
It is understood that Harry and Meghan do not plan to issue a response to the news.
The decision is a stark contrast from when the allegations first came to light, when their team issued a stinging statement calling it a ‘‘calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation’’.
Ahead of the Sussexes’ interview with American TV presenter Oprah Winfrey, they claimed: ‘‘It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining the duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and the duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.’’
Their silence will lead to hopes at the palace of a cooling in tensions, following a broadly successful visit by the Sussexes to Britain for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The couple have not yet shared details of their meetings with the Queen or Prince Charles while they were in the UK. They also fulfilled their promise of ‘‘sticking to the script’’ during the celebrations.
The change in approach will inspire hope in royal circles that the Sussexes will continue to rein in their more outspoken criticism of their family in Britain and its staff.
They had previously made very clear their frustration with the ‘‘institution’’, airing grievances about how they felt unsupported and silenced during their time in the working royal family.
Harry is due to release his autobiography later this year, promising an ‘‘accurate and wholly truthful’’ account of his life to date. The couple are also reported to be taking part in an at home-style documentary series for Netflix.