Buckingham Palace on Wednesday released a statement noting it would investigate the allegations made in The Times article that Meghan Markle bullied Kensington Palace staff in 2018. The report accuses Markle of bullying two senior staff members and humiliating another former employee.
"We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the palace said in the statement, obtained by Today. "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."
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) March 3, 2021
"The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace," the statement continues.
The claims made in the British newspaper come just days before an interview between Oprah Winfrey and the royal couple is scheduled to air in a two-hour Sunday special on CBS. In the interview, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to discuss the pressure Meghan faced before the couple in 2020 decided to step down as senior members of the royal family and move to Southern California.
In a statement to NBC News, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan denied the allegations made in the report.
"Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation," a spokesperson told NBC News. "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."
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also said in a Wednesday statement to ITK that Markle is "saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma," the Hill reported.
Last year, Markle and Prince Harry moved with their 1-year-old son, Archie, to California. The couple last month also confirmed to Buckingham Palace that they would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family, the Palace announced in an official statement.
“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” Buckingham Palace said in a press release.
