Buckingham Palace is “very concerned” about allegations of bullying made against Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, it said.
Following reports that she occasionally drove staff to tears, the palace will investigate the matter, it announced on Wednesday.
“We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” it said in a statement. “Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.”
The royal household has a “Dignity at Work policy” and does not “tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace,” it added.
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Jason Knauf, Prince Harry and Meghan’s former communications secretary, filed a complaint detailing that Meghan drove away two personal assistants, according to British newspaper the Times, which cited royal aides.
Samantha Carruthers, the palace’s head of human resources, “agreed with me on all counts that the situation was very serious,” Knauf reportedly wrote in an email to Simon Case, who was then Prince William’s private secretary.
“I remain concerned that nothing will be done,” Knauf added.
The palace did not investigate the claims at the time, according to palace sources.
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“Let’s just call this what it is: a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said. “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.”
An interview between Harry and Meghan and Oprah Winfrey is set to air on Sunday. The two stepped down as senior members of the royal family.
