Meghan Markle finds herself embroiled in a whirlwind of legal victories and media scrutiny.
Her recent triumph in court against 'Mail on Sunday' for privacy violations, coupled with the upcoming broadcast of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey this Sunday in prime time, has amplified tensions with the press and the British monarchy.
In response, 'The Times' has launched a dual assault, prompting allegations from Buckingham Palace through what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's lawyers deem as a "fabricated narrative" aimed at undermining them, just ahead of their highly anticipated 90-minute special on CBS.
Adding fuel to the fire, amidst all this anticipation surrounding Prince Harry (36) and Meghan (39), several former Kensington Palace staff members have disclosed allegations of 'bullying' against Meghan Markle dating back to October 2018, during her tenure as a senior royal. According to 'The Times', these allegations were formally raised by Jason Knauf, the couple's former communications secretary at Kensington Palace.
Knauf reportedly brought concerns about Meghan's alleged behavior to Simon Case, Prince Harry's private secretary, and the human resources department at Clarence House. Describing Meghan's conduct as targeted harassment, Knauf expressed worries about its impact on individuals' well-being and confidence within the palace staff.
In response to these revelations, Buckingham Palace has launched an unprecedented investigation to address the accusations.
The report indicates that in 2018, Knauf initiated a formal complaint process, highlighting instances where staff members may have felt 'humiliated' by the Duchess's behavior. However, Prince Harry is said to have intervened, reportedly 'pleading' with Knauf not to pursue further investigations.
Subsequently, Knauf resigned from his position, later joining Prince William's team as an advisor and currently serving as the executive director of Prince Harry's charitable foundation.
Sources cited by 'The Times' suggest that Meghan portrayed herself as a "victim" and depicted her royal experience as unbearable, possibly influencing Prince Harry's decision to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States. In January 2020, the couple announced their intention to transition away from their royal roles, now residing in California.
In light of these developments, Buckingham Palace has issued a statement expressing 'concern' over the allegations against Meghan, pledging to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances outlined in the article. The statement emphasizes the palace's commitment to upholding workplace dignity and condemns any form of harassment.
Adding another layer to the controversy, 'The Times' reveals that the Chopard earrings worn by Meghan during an official dinner in Fiji in 2018 were purportedly a wedding gift from Mohammed bin Salman, the controversial crown prince of Saudi Arabia, alleged to have ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Initially portrayed as borrowed, conflicting narratives emerged regarding the origins of the earrings. While a palace aide claimed they were on loan from a jeweler, Meghan's legal team clarified that while she may have referenced them as borrowed, she did not specify the source, refuting accusations of deception regarding their ownership.
