Former Royal Aide Opens Up on Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations

Royal Family
Pete Hutton
February 24, 2025
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7 minutes read

Photo by Getty Images / 60 Minutes Australia / YouTube

A former Kensington Palace staffer who previously worked for both Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has broken his silence on the bullying allegations against the Duchess of Sussex.

Jason Knauf, who was responsible for raising concerns about Meghan’s alleged treatment of palace staff while she was a senior royal, made an appearance on 60 Minutes Australia, revisiting the controversy that shook the royal household.

Knauf, who also served as chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation until he stepped down in 2021, originally filed a formal complaint in October 2018, when he was working as communications secretary for Harry and Meghan. In an email sent to Prince William’s then-private secretary, Simon Case, Knauf expressed deep concerns over Meghan’s behavior toward staff, claiming she had bullied two personal assistants out of the household.

Prince William and Kate Middleton — Princess of Wales speaks to members of the emergency services during a visit to Southport Community Centre in Southport, northwest England on October 10, 2024. (AFP)

“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 was totally unacceptable,” Knauf wrote in the email, which was leaked to The Times in 2021, just days before Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

He further claimed, “The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y.”

Speaking about the scandal on 60 Minutes Australia, Knauf acknowledged the intense media storm that followed the leak. When asked whether it was difficult to be at the center of such controversy, he said, “I think it’s tough, but it’s probably quite good. You know someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye. You probably had to take your own medicine sometimes.”

Knauf stood by his actions, making it clear that he had no regrets about speaking up. “No, it’s not what I would’ve sought, but you know, at the end of the day, you get to do an amazing job. You’ve got to take everything that comes with it,” he said.

More: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry receive massive support amid latest allegations

The bullying allegations against Meghan Markle were fiercely denied by her team at the time. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan dismissed the claims, saying, “Let’s just call this what it is—a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.”

Buckingham Palace responded by launching an internal investigation into the claims, but the findings were never made public, further fueling speculation.

With Knauf speaking out once again, the controversy surrounding Meghan Markle’s alleged behavior within the palace has resurfaced, reigniting debates about royal workplace culture, power dynamics, and the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.