Meghan Markle said she was “saddened” by an explosive report in The Times Of London, which saw an email sent by her former Kensington Palace communications secretary raising concerns about her “intimidating” behavior.
The Times report, which came just days before CBS broadcast a barrier-free interview with Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, also stated that the Duchess of Sussex wore earrings given to her by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman weeks after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
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Markle’s spokesman told the newspaper that the report was a “smear campaign” and that the Duchess of Sussex was upset by the allegations because she has been “the target of bullying and is deeply committed to supporting those who have gone through pain and trauma”.
The Times obtained an email sent in October 2018 by Jason Knauf, a former communications executive for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who now serves as CEO of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. He sent the message to Simon Case, then Prince William’s private secretary, and was forwarded to Samantha Carruthers, Prince Charles’s former HR chief.
According to the Times, which edited the names of those involved, Knauf said in his e-mail: “I am very concerned that the Duchess managed to intimidate two PAs out of her home last year. X’s treatment was totally unacceptable. “
He added: “The Duchess seems determined to always have someone in view. She is intimidating Y and trying to undermine her confidence. We received reports after reports from people who witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y. ”
In the email, Knauf reportedly said that Carruthers “agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious” and expressed concern that nothing would be done about it. “I questioned whether domestic policy on intimidation and harassment applies to directors,” he reportedly wrote. The complaint did not advance, according to The Times, and Knauf resigned a month after the submission.
Deadline contacted Markle’s representatives for comment. A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex said: “Let’s just call it what it is – a smear campaign calculated on the basis of misleading and damaging misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrait of the Duchess of Sussex receiving credibility through the media.
“It is no coincidence that distorted accusations of several years aimed at undermining the Duchess are being reported to the British media shortly before she and the Duke have spoken openly and honestly about their experience in recent years. In a detailed legal rebuttal letter to The Times, we addressed these defamatory claims in full, including spurious allegations about the use of gifts borrowed from the Duchess by the Crown.
“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, especially as someone who has been the target of bullying and is deeply committed to supporting those who have gone through pain and trauma. She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will continue to strive to set an example of doing what is right and doing what is good. “
In addition to the allegations of bullying, the Times claimed that Markle wore earrings at a formal dinner in Fiji in 2018, which was a wedding gift from Mohammed bin Salman. At dinner time, it was reported that the jewelry was borrowed. A source told the Times that Markle asked aides to tell the media that they were borrowed when they informed journalists about their clothes for the official dinner. Her lawyers denied that she had misled anyone about the earrings’ provenance.
The report comes before Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Markle and Prince Harry, in which they will talk about their bitter relationship with the British press. The special interview will air on CBS on Sunday night, while ITV is about to announce that it has secured rights in the UK. Since the couple moved to California, they have signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify.
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