A FRIEND of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has vowed “nothing will stop them from sharing their truth” amid allegations of bullying.
It comes as the Queen tonight launched a probe into the claims that the Duchess of Sussex caused “emotional distress” to staff.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest news...
Meghan is facing allegations of bullying staff made by one of her closest advisors during her time at Kensington Palace.
After the investigation was launched, one of the sources who revealed the complaint told The Times: “We will finally be able to tell the truth. It’s not going to be easy, but this is very welcome and long overdue.
“We don’t have to be silent any more.”
A spokesperson for the Sussexes has denied allegations of bullying – instead saying Royal aides had launched a “calculated smear campaign” against Meghan ahead of her interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The 39-year-old is even said to have snapped “it’s not my job to coddle people” after aides were left in tears and humiliated by her “difficult demands”.
The Palace released a statement saying “we are very concerned” at the allegations and that it does not “tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace”.
This latest explosive twist in the Megxit saga comes just days before Meghan and Harry’s sit-down interview with Oprah is aired – where the topic of bullying is expected to be discussed.
A friend of the couple told Harpers Bazaar: “You can’t ignore the timing of this.
“This has been done to undermine her character or undermine the topics that they discuss on Sunday.”
They added: “Harry and Meghan knew that it would get ugly in the run up [to the Oprah interview], but seeing such an obvious attempt at destroying her character was distressing and upsetting.
“They have had everything and the kitchen sink thrown at them this week, but ultimately nothing will stop them from sharing their truth.”
Sources allege that Meghan drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.
The report further claimed Meghan “humiliated” at least one ex-staffer while another said the Duchess’ behaviour felt “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation”.
One royal aide, anticipating a row with the duchess, is alleged to have told a colleague: “I can’t stop shaking.”
A Sussex spokesperson claimed The Times was “being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative”.
They said: “Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.
“We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.
“It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.”
Jason Knauf, Harry and Meghan’s former communications assistant, reportedly submitted a complaint in 2018 to protect palace aides who were allegedly coming under pressure from the American former actress.
Knauf is said to have emailed Prince William’s private secretary Simon Case after raising bullying concerns with Samantha Carruthers, the Palace’s head of HR.
In his email, which has only just emerged, Knauf apparently says Carruthers “agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious”.
He was said to have written: “I remain concerned that nothing will be done.”
The email sent to the HR department also expressed concern about the stress felt by the couple’s private secretary Samantha Cohen.
It concluded: “I questioned if the Household policy on bullying and harassment applies to principals.”
One source said: “I think the problem is, not much happened with it. It was, ‘How can we make this go away?’, rather than addressing it.”
One of Meghan’s friends, who has known her for 10 years, dismissed the claims.
They said: “I know that Meg would feel awful if she knew that someone felt that way about working with her, but I also know that no one ever approached her about anything like this at all during that time.
“I have never known her to be anything but kind and considerate to her friends and colleagues.”
It is understood the Palace hopes to start the investigation soon, and any changes in policies or procedures will be shared in the Palace’s annual Sovereign Grant report.
Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official office, and any communication this significant would run through her.
Meghan and Harry’s chat with Oprah will be aired on CBS in the US at 8pm EST – meaning it will be 1am in the UK at the time.
ITV has paid a seven-figure sum to air the explosive TV event in the UK on Monday.
