In March 2021, as Meghan Markle prepared for her high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, allegations resurfaced that she had left royal staff members in tears through her treatment of them. A subsequent palace investigation into the claims was conducted but its findings were never released publicly, leaving the controversy shrouded in secrecy and speculation. The incident raised fundamental questions about workplace conduct within the royal household and the transparency of institutional accountability.
Staff Accounts and Initial Complaints
Journalist Valentine Low reported that multiple former staff members described emotionally taxing experiences working for the Duchess of Sussex. One personal assistant departed just six months after the royal wedding, characterizing the role as humiliating and unpleasant. In 2018, Jason Knauf, a communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess, filed a harassment complaint against Meghan, alleging in an email to Prince William’s private secretary that she was bullying personal assistants and undermining their confidence. These early accounts painted a picture of workplace friction that would persist for years.
The Investigation and Its Secrecy
Buckingham Palace launched an investigation in response to the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to addressing bullying and harassment. However, the decision to keep the results confidential generated widespread frustration. Critics argued that the secrecy allowed rumors to flourish rather than settle the matter definitively. Royal observers questioned whether the palace’s silence was intended to prevent further tensions with Harry and Meghan or simply to maintain institutional privacy.
Meghan’s Response and Denials
Meghan’s team dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign. Her spokesperson stated that the Duchess was “saddened” by the accusations, particularly given her own experiences with bullying. However, she never issued a public apology to those claiming to have been affected by her alleged behavior. In her 2021 Oprah interview, Meghan denied a specific claim that she had made Kate Middleton cry over bridesmaid dress disputes, asserting instead that the situation had been reversed and that Kate had apologized by sending flowers.
Persistent Allegations and Public Commentary
Low’s 2022 book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown featured accounts from former staff members who described negative experiences. One source recalled feeling “broken” after interactions with the Duchess, while another described being screamed at for hours. The reporting also highlighted that many former staffers were reluctant to speak publicly due to non-disclosure agreements and fears of retaliation. After Meghan and Harry relocated to the United States, allegations continued to emerge regarding her management style on her Archetypes podcast, with sources describing high staff turnover and a demanding work environment. Public figures including journalist Megyn Kelly and broadcaster Piers Morgan amplified criticism, with Kelly describing Meghan as a “bully” and Morgan characterizing her as a “nasty little bully.”
An Enduring Unresolved Matter
Today, the bullying allegations remain unresolved. With no public disclosure of the palace’s investigation findings and conflicting accounts from various parties, the controversy continues to surface in media coverage and public discourse. The lack of definitive resolution means the allegations will likely persist as part of Meghan’s public narrative, affecting her reputation regardless of her subsequent professional ventures or public statements. Whether the full truth will ever emerge remains uncertain, but the debate itself has become a fixture in discussions about her time in the royal family and beyond.
Sources
BBC News, 3 Mar 2021
The Guardian, 30 Jun 2022
CBS News, 7 Mar 2021
People, 3 Mar 2021
The Times, 29 Sep 2022
Fox News Digital, 2024
Hachette / Courtiers description, 29 Sep 2022