Lawyers to probe duchess bullying claim
BUCKINGHAM Palace is to ask lawyers to investigate claims that Meghan bullied royal staff, it was revealed yesterday.
The Queen had ordered an inquiry to be conducted by the palace’s human resources team but this will now be handed to an independent external law firm.
The decision is likely to increase tensions between the Royal Household and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, have denied claims they inflicted ‘emotional cruelty’ on staff and have said the bullying allegations were a ‘calculated smear campaign’ ahead of their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The duchess has reportedly written to the Palace to demand access to any documents, emails or text messages relating to the complaint against her. The Queen passed her request to the Prince of Wales, whose aides are searching files, according to The Mail on Sunday.
The inquiry was ordered after a senior Palace official said Meghan had bullied two personal assistants and accused her of ‘unacceptable behaviour’.
Another former employee said they had been ‘humiliated’ and several former and current aides are expected to speak to the inquiry. A royal source told the Sunday Times: ‘The worst incidences haven’t come out. There are some harrowing stories.’
Another Palace source added: ‘There’s a lot that could come out in the wash that hasn’t been told.’
Harry and Meghan are not expected to be invited to take part in the investigation, the paper reported.
The Palace has said the review will be carried out in private and has insisted it will not tolerate harassment or bullying.
An official complaint was made against Meghan in October 2018 by Jason Knauf, who was head of communications for her and Harry at the time.
In an email to a senior courtier, he wrote: ‘I am very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of [name redacted] was totally unacceptable.
‘The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights.’
The email was forwarded to the Palace’s human resources team but the complaint did not progress further.
A Palace spokesman said: ‘Our commitment to look into the circumstances around the allegation is being taken forward but we will not be providing a public commentary on it.’