Meghan Markle didn’t win any friends among palace staff, according to a royal expert who went as far to say she humiliated workers and “goverened by fear”.
According to royal author Robert Lacey, who provides historical assistance for Netflix show The Crown, The Duchess of Sussex, shouted at staff and allegedly bullied people out of their jobs.
One courtier quoted in his book claimed: “Meghan governed by fear. So many people said it. Nothing was ever good enough for her.”
They added: “[She] humiliated staff in meetings, [would] shout at them, [would] cut them off email chains – and then demand to know why they hadn’t done anything.”
According to another source, when a senior aide told Meghan her behaviour was causing difficulties for staff, she reportedly said: “It’s not my job to coddle people.”
Jason Knauf, who worked in communications for both the Cambridges and the Sussexes, also submitted an official email in October 2018 making the bullying allegations – which the Sussexes deny.
He said he had received “report after report” from people who witness “unacceptable behaviour” by Meghan towards a member of staff.
When the allegations were first reported, a spokesperson for the Sussexes denied them totally, saying: “Let’s just call this what it is – a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.”
The spokesperson added: “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.”
Meghan’s friends also defended her against the allegations, saying it was far from the “kind” woman they knew Meghan to be.
A friend told Bazaar.com: “I hate to say it, but find me a woman of colour in a senior position who has not been accused of being too angry, too scary… in the work place.”
Best friend Jessica Mulroney also weighed in, saying Meghan was “kind, empathetic and loving”.
She wrote: “I don’t know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman. In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love.”
