MEGHAN Markle’s alleged bullying reportedly “real stress and trauma” at the Palace, a royal insider has claimed.
An insider claims her behaviour took a “human toll” on staff – something she strongly denies.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news...
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, was accused of bullying in an email from her former press secretary which was sent in October 2018 and later leaked to The Times.
In it, Jason Knauf said he was “very concerned” that Meghan “was able to bully two PAs out of the household”.
A pair of senior staff members came forward last month claiming they had been bullied by Meghan.
And another former aide complained they had been personally “humiliated” by the duchess, who allegedly also bullied two other members of staff.
A source told PEOPLE: “For [some staffers] there was real stress and real trauma.
“These are real people and there is a human toll.”
The Queen launched a probe into the allegations and the Palace released a statement saying they were “very concerned” and would be investigating.
The Palace has since reportedly decided to bring in a third-party law firm to conduct the investigation into bullying claims made by both current and former royal aides.
Meghan has vehemently denied the assertions, branding them a “calculated smear campaign”.
Her spokesperson said: “The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”
The duchess is understood to have demanded to see any documents, emails, and text messages related to the complaints.
Palace staff are said to be armed with “harrowing stories” in relation to bullying allegations made against Meghan, a royal insider previously told The Times.
“The actual worst incidences haven’t come out. There are some harrowing stories to tell,” they claimed.
It comes as…
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sparked Palace fury after details of private peace talks with Charles and William were leaked to a prime-time US TV show
- The Palace ‘refused to give ‘running commentary’ on private conversations
- Trump said he HOPES Meghan Markle will run for president in 2024 as he’s ‘not a fan’ & backed the Queen after the Oprah interview
- Piers Morgan accused Meghan & Harry of a ‘malicious campaign’ to ‘smear the Royal Family as bunch of heartless racists’
- Meghan & Harry trespasser has assault conviction & admits he was high when he broke into grounds of Montecito mansion
- Meghan ‘would have known’ why Archie was not made a prince, royal experts say – branding Oprah claims ‘misleading’
The bullying claims were aired ahead of Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
But the explosive chat was filmed before the accusations, meaning they weren’t asked about them.
In the interview, Meghan revealed she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time in the UK.
She also claimed there were “concerns” over how dark her and Harry’s first child Archie might be, and conversations surrounding his title.
Meghan said: “In those months when I was pregnant, we had in tandem the conversations of him not being given security or a title, and also concerns about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.
“They didn’t want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn’t going to receive security.”
A source told PEOPLE there was “anger” at the Palace in response to the claims, as well as “deep sorrow and shock”.
The Queen has said the claims raised regarding concerns over the colour of Archie’s skin would be investigated and “addressed privately”.
A statement from the Palace said: “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning.
“Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
