ROYAL aides have vowed to “come out swinging” with fresh revelations on the Duchess of Sussex if Meghan and Harry attack any individuals in their interview with Oprah.
A source familiar with the bullying allegations made against Meghan this week – which she has strongly denied – warned that “the worst hasn’t come out yet”.
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In an unprecedented move, Buckingham Palace launched an inquiry into the claims made by former members of Meghan and Harry’s staff – releasing a statement saying they were “very concerned”.
But a source has claimed there are “some harrowing stories” that have not been told yet.
Palace officials accused Harry and Meghan of being “at war” with the royal household and said aides would be ready to “come out swinging” if the Sussexes attack the monarchy in their interview with Oprah.
A source told The Celeb Reportday Times: “The actual worst incidences haven’t come out. There are some harrowing stories to tell. I’ve had some teary conversations with people this week.”
‘HARROWING STORIES’
Another palace source said: “They are playing with fire, it’s very high stakes because there’s a lot that could come out in the wash that hasn’t been told.”
However, a spokesman for the Sussexes denied allegations of bullying, saying that Meghan is committed to supporting people who have experienced trauma and works to “build compassion around the world”.
Meghan’s spokesman 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.
“She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”
It comes as reports said the Queen will not watch Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey – which courtiers have branded a “circus” – as she wants to “focus on the big issues” instead.
A source said: “You will see next week Her Majesty has quite a few things going on. I don’t think anyone should expect Her Majesty to stay up and watch the interview. She won’t.”
They added: “The mood in the family is: can everyone just shut the hell up and can we just get on with the day job.”
Bust-ups between the Duchess of Sussex and her aides during the royal tour of Australia are set to be the focus of the Buckingham Palace bullying probe, a source said.
The 16-day trip in 2018 is said to have seen a string of clashes between Meghan and staff.
‘BIG ISSUES’
A source said: “The Australia tour is one of the most important in the royal world but there have long been allegations of rows with staff.
“If these assistants come forward it will form the centre of the Palace’s bullying probe. It was a critical time.”
Meghan reportedly flew into a rage at a PA because blankets were the “wrong shade of red” and her outbursts left her entire staff on the verge of quitting, insiders claimed last night.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, a former aide to one of the most senior members of the royal family claimed “half the staff threatened to quit” over tensions allegedly caused by the Sussexes.
Another Palace source claimed: “The entire household was on the verge of quitting … it was drama, drama, drama with those two.”
It comes after aides said the Queen has not received an advance copy of the Oprah interview.
Royal aides are braced for Meghan to expose her rift with Kate in the interview, as they fear new disclosures will also deepen tensions between Prince Harry and his brother William.
A source said: “If she has chosen to speak candidly about her time with Kate then the damage that could be done to the monarchy is vast.
“She has the power to lay bare just how bad things really were between her, Harry, William and Kate.”
Senior Royals have reportedly urged for “calm amid the storm” ahead of the bombshell interview in which Oprah said nothing will be “off limits”.
Sources said members of the Royal Family including Prince Charles and Prince William have agreed they will “reserve judgement” until they have watched the whole clip.
Earlier this week, Oprah was accused of painting the Queen as a “mafia boss” after a preview of the interview showed her asking Meghan if she was “silent or silenced” in the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey is to be screened in the US on Sunday night and in the UK on ITV on Monday at 9pm.
