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The Duchess of Sussex is the victim of a “calculated smear campaign,” her team said today after allegations surfaced that she intimidated staff members while working as royalty.
The claims come just days before the US broadcast of the two-hour “tell-all” interview of her and Prince Harry with Oprah Winfrey, which will air Sunday in US prime time.
The Times reported Wednesday that a close associate of the couple filed a complaint against Meghan, 39, in October 2018. It came from former Sussex communications secretary Jason Knauf, who suggested that Meghan made unreasonable demands that led to the departure of two personal assistants and the weakening of a third during his two-year stint as an active member of the royal family.
The claims were not carried out and the following month, Mr. Knauf served his notice. Knauf now runs the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s charitable foundation.
However, a spokesperson for the couple dismissed all allegations of bullying, and attorneys acting on their behalf said they were based on misleading and damaging information dating back several years that was deliberately leaked prior to the interview.
A long and forceful rebuttal to the Times by the couple’s legal advisers read: “Let’s call this what it is: a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful information.”
A spokesperson added: “The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been bullied 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 continue to strive to set an example of doing what is right and what is good. “
Meghan and Harry, 36, have frequently complained that he has been the victim of bullying, especially at the hands of the British tabloid media.
The couple’s lawyers accused The Times of “being used by Buckingham Palace to sell a totally false narrative” before the interview with Winfrey.
The Times also reported that Meghan was wearing earrings given to her by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at a time when he was being convicted of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Lawyers said Meghan was unaware of the allegations that Mohammad bin Salman was involved in Khashoggi’s murder when he wore the earrings at a state dinner in Fiji, which had been “loaned” as they were officially classified as property. of the Crown.
Meghan’s lawyers described the claims as “false accusations about the use of gifts lent to the Duchess by the Crown.”
Buckingham Palace did not comment on any of the claims.
However, sources said the complaints about former employees were not being orchestrated by the Palace or the royal family. The latest feud between the Sussexes, who dramatically “stepped back” as royalty in January of last year, and the establishment of the Palace increases tension ahead of the CBS broadcast.
ITV reportedly won the bidding war to air it in Britain in a deal said to be worth around £ 1 million.
Oprah Winfrey with Meghan and Harry
It will air on ITV at 8pm on Monday at a time when there is still concern for the health of the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh, who has been in hospital for more than two weeks for an infection. He is also being monitored for a pre-existing heart condition.
Already strained relations between the two parties have deteriorated further in recent weeks after it was confirmed last month that the couple, who now live in California with their son Archie, would not be allowed to keep their official royal roles.
A public relations expert has described the timing of his interview with Oprah – with the ill Duke of Edinburgh in hospital – as “horrendous.”
Crisis and public relations consultant Mark Borkowski warned that Harry and Meghan risk a “real reputational mess” if the broadcast continues and called for it to be postponed.
