Just over a week after allegations of bullying against the Duchess of Sussex surfaced, Buckingham Palace is preparing to bring in outside investigators, a move that threatens to further strain relations with Prince Harry and Meghan. This development comes after the Sussexes’ team vehemently denied the bullying accusations, labeling them as a calculated smear campaign.
During an interview with British network ITV, a close friend of the Sussexes defended Meghan, stating, “I can say she’s not a bully. I also know why someone had to leave and it was for gross misconduct, and the truth will come out. There’s plenty of emails and texts about that.”
However, a report published in the London Times newspaper cited a 2018 email allegedly written by senior aide Jason Knauf, which stated that royal aides were leaving due to the Duchess’s behavior. The email, not seen by NBC News, claims, “The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights.”
The bullying allegations follow Prince Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the couple revealed that the pressures of palace life had severely impacted Meghan’s mental health. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Meghan confessed.
Adding fuel to the fire, the couple also accused an unnamed member of the Royal Family of making racist remarks about their then-unborn son, Archie. Meghan recounted, “There’s a conversation with you with Harry about how dark your baby is going to be potentially, and what that would mean or look like.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sit down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey
Days later, Prince William, Harry’s brother, publicly refuted the accusations, stating that the Royal Family is not racist.
Despite the ongoing controversy, the Royal Family has attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy. They released a video of the Queen participating in a science-themed Zoom call and shared images on William and Kate’s Instagram account of their children’s heartfelt notes to Princess Diana for British Mother’s Day.
Prince George, the seven-year-old future king, penned a touching message, “Dear Granny Diana, I love you very much and think of you always. George.” A spokesperson for Prince Harry confirmed that he had also sent flowers to Princess Diana’s grave in honor of the UK’s Mother’s Day.
The Queen, Prince William, and Kate Middleton attend a Christmas Day church service with other members of the royal family
The Palace’s decision to initiate an independent inquiry signals a serious attempt to address the bullying allegations against Meghan Markle. The investigation’s findings will likely have significant implications for the Duchess and her relationship with the Royal Family.
