AIDE’S BOMBSHELL EMAIL...

FROM Jason Knauf [then the Sussexes’ communications secretary] TO Simon Case [then Prince William’s private secretary] DATE October 2018

I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X [name redacted] was totally unacceptable... The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y [name redacted] and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behaviour towards Y... [Samantha Carruthers, the head of HR] agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious. I remain concerned that nothing will be done... I questioned if the Household policy on bullying and harassment applies to principals.

PA WHO QUIT AFTER WEDDING

MELISSA Touabti, the duchess’s former personal assistant, had previously worked for Robbie Williams and Madonna. She played a key role in preparations for Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May 2018, but quit after just six months. The Frenchwoman, 1, took a job with the billionaire Livingstone family – owners of the stately home Cliveden.

THE TOUGH-TALKING AUSTRALIAN

FORMERLY the Queen’s assistant private secretary, Samantha Cohen had planned to quit Buckingham Palace in 2018. Instead, she agreed to stay on and help the duchess through her first months in the Royal Family. The well-liked but tough-talking Australian became the Sussexes’ private secretary, but left in 2019 to work for the environmental charity Cool Earth.

THE PRINCES’ HR HEAD HONCHO

EXPERIENCED human resources director Samantha Carruthers worked for De Beers and investment bank Lazard before joining the royals. Head of HR for Prince Charles and Prince William until 2019, she is now deputy chairman of the board of trustees for child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish.