In the epilogue from Finding Freedom by royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, new details have surfaced that suggests royal staffers involved in bullying allegations against Meghan Markle have revoked their complaints.
Just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey went to air, The Times of London published a report accusing Markle of workplace bullying. The publication cited evidence by way of an email from prior communications director Jason Knauf. He wrote to Kensington Palace Private Secretary Simon Case in October 2018 and according to Scobie, expressed his “concern” that Markle bullied “two PAs out of the household in the past year.”
“The treatment of [name redacted] was totally unacceptable,” Knauf wrote. “The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying [name redacted] and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards [name redacted].”
The Palace announced it would launch an inquiry into the serious allegations. Nothing further from the probe was revealed.
Scobie and Durand have now written that their sources “confirmed that upon the discovery of Jason’s email, two of the individuals mentioned in the email asked for any allegations made to HR about their experiences with Meghan be rescinded.”
Ultimately the new information questions the validity of further claims. At the time Markle strongly denied all allegations made against her.
A spokesperson for the Duchess released a statement saying that The Times’ reports were “based on misleading and harmful misinformation” and added that Markle “is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”
“Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” the couple said in statement. “We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet. 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.”
Markle has been forced to fight for her reputation for years now. In May the former actress won her second defamatory case against The Mail On Sunday.
