Meghan Markle complainant speaks about her staff bullying scandal

Royal Family
Joe Anderson
February 24, 2025
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7 minutes read

Picture: Vizzor Image/Getty Images

Jason Knauf, the former royal aide whose leaked email about Meghan Markle’s alleged mistreatment of staff sparked a major controversy in 2021, has spoken publicly about the incident, stating that he has no regrets about how events unfolded.

Knauf, who previously worked for Prince William and Princess Kate, found himself at the center of the bullying allegations against the Duchess of Sussex. His email to the Palace detailed concerns over Meghan’s treatment of employees, leading to a formal investigation.

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Reflecting on that difficult period, Knauf admitted it was a challenging time but maintained that the experience was ultimately for the best. “I think it, it’s tough, but it’s probably quite good,” Knauf said in an interview with Australia Today when asked about the controversy.

He suggested that his experiences provided valuable insight into handling public scrutiny, adding, “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.”

Despite the intense scrutiny that followed the leak of his email, Knauf insists he would not change anything about the way he handled the situation. “You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job,” he said. “And that applies to the Prince and Princess as well as everyone else working for them. So I wouldn’t change anything.”

Knauf’s comments have reignited discussion over the Meghan Markle bullying allegations, which surfaced just before Prince Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021. At the time, Meghan’s spokesperson dismissed the accusations as a “calculated smear campaign”, while Buckingham Palace launched an internal review.

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The findings of the Palace’s internal investigation were never made public, though reports suggested procedural changes were implemented regarding staff welfare. The Duchess of Sussex has consistently denied the allegations, and her legal team has refuted claims that she mistreated staff.

Knauf, who has since stepped away from his royal advisory role, remains closely linked to the royal family, having played a significant part in Prince William and Princess Kate’s charitable projects. His latest remarks have once again placed the Markle bullying controversy in the spotlight, raising fresh questions about the handling of workplace grievances within the royal institution.