MEGHAN Markle believed that the Royal Family were “trying to discredit her” over bullying accusations, a source has claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex was accused of “humiliating” personal assistants and staff, as well as driving two out of the Palace which she denies.
Meghan, 40, allegedly made staff cry and several official complaints were made regarding her behaviour.
Buckingham Palace launched a probe into the complaints, but the final report could be delayed until 2022.
An independent law firm was expected to reveal the finer details in the annual Sovereign Grant report, but royal sources have confirmed it is still “ongoing”.
At the time a spokesman for the Duchess said that she was “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”.
But a new chapter in explosive book Finding Freedom claims that Meghan was “worried” about the allegations, the Independent reports.
Authors Carolyn Durand and Omid Scobie, who is a friend of Meghan’s, have spoken to a source close to the couple.
The pal said: “Though the duchess was used to defamatory reports, this front-page story was more worrying.
“It felt like certain individuals at the Palace were doing their very best to undermine and discredit anything they worried the couple may or may not say during the interview.”
‘DIFFICULT DEMANDS’
The authors also claim that the front page allegations gave the Sussex’s more confidence that leaving the Royal’s was the right thing to do.
The Palace launched the investigation after the Duchess of Sussex was accused of bullying two senior staff members.
Jason Knauf, who worked in comms for both the Cambridges and the Sussexes, submitted an official email in October 2018.
Meghan allegedly snapped “it’s not my job to coddle people” after aides were said to be left in tears and humiliated by her “difficult demands”.
Mr Kauf claimed Meghan’s alleged treatment of staff was “totally unacceptable”, adding that she “seems intent on always having someone in her sights”.
One courtier claimed that the duchess “governed by fear” while it was also reported there was a “febrile” atmosphere.
‘CREATE A SPECTACLE’
The updated version of Finding Freedom also explores Harry and Meghan’s “heartbreak” over Philip’s death aged 99.
Publisher HarperCollins said the latest edition will also share “behind the scenes” details of their bombshell Oprah interview as well as their move to California.
A pal also reportedly said that the Oprah interview was “cathartic” for the duchess, and that she was “liberated” by the experience.
Members of the royal family were also reportedly “quietly pleased” that the Duchess did not attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, and were concerned she would “create a spectacle”.
The new edition, which is due to come out on August 31, looks at the controversy surrounding Remembrance Sunday last year.
It claims Harry had wanted a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph but it was left in a box at the Kent offices of the Royal British Legion instead.
This was because Harry was no longer a “frontline royal”, Scobie and Durand write.
The book adds: “Ten years of service and a lifetime commitment to the military community and this is how it’s been acknowledged by his family.”
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
Finding Freedom already chronicles Harry and Meghan’s romance and brief period as members of the monarchy before Megxit.
But it was updated after a tumultuous year for the Royal Family that includes allegations of racism towards their son Archie.
The couple claimed a senior royal made a racist comment about the colour of his skin in their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Prince William, who broke precedent to deny the family was racist, was said to be “furious that private family matters were being discussed in the public domain”, the book claims.
The Finding Freedom update is said to have been written with the participation of those closest to the Sussexes.
Scobie, a journalist favoured by the couple, said of the first edition that the couple “did not authorise the book and have never been interviewed for it”.
Harry is now planning his own upcoming tell-all memoir that will give an “accurate and wholly truthful” account of his life.
Buckingham Palace did not wish to comment when approached by The Celeb Report.
