Buckingham Palace will hand over Meghan bullying probe to external investigators
There were allegations that Meghan had bullied the royal staff during her time in Britain.
By PTI |
AP
Several former and current royal aides who could not give evidence in court during Meghan's recent legal case about privacy against a British newspaper are expected to speak to the inquiry.
Earlier this month, the palace had confirmed that a probe would be conducted after 'The Times' published a leaked email from a staff member alleging that the former American actress drove two personal assistants out of the royal household and undermined the confidence of a third member of staff.
Now, 'The Sunday Times' reports that it has been decided that the inquiry would be handed to a third-party law firm to conduct an independent investigation, rather than an inhouse inquiry.
"Our commitment to look into the circumstances around the allegations from former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is being taken forward but we will not be providing a public commentary on it," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.
Several former and current royal aides who could not give evidence in court during Meghan Markle's recent legal case about privacy against a British newspaper are expected to speak to the inquiry.
"The actual worst incidences haven't come out. There are some harrowing stories to tell," the newspaper quoted a royal source as saying.
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The relationship between Prince William and Harry has been strained for some time and it emerged this weekend that they had 'been in contact' for the first time since the Oprah Winfrey interview, reportedly via text message. The complaint against Meghan dates back to October 2018 when an email was sent by a member of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's staff to a senior courtier. The email was forwarded to the HR department, but the complaint did not progress.
The palace inquiry into the exact circumstances was announced days before Harry and Meghan's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey was aired last weekend, in which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a series of shocking claims around the lack of mental health support offered to a suicidal Meghan and unnamed royals raising concerns about the skin colour of their mixed-race son Archie.
"The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members," read a Buckingham Palace statement, days after the interview.
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Prince William, Harry's older brother, is the only senior royal to directly comment on the allegations as he responded to reporters' questions with: "We are very much not a racist family."
The relationship between the brothers has been strained for some time and it emerged this weekend that they had "been in contact" for the first time since the Oprah Winfrey interview, reportedly via text message.
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Meanwhile, their father Prince Charles is said to be "upset and cut up" after Harry had spoken of his hurt at the Prince of Wales not taking his calls after he announced his decision to step back as a frontline royal last year and cut him off financially.
"It was a surprise to hear he'd been cut off, given the bank statements. The prince continued to provide Harry and Meghan with financial support after their move to America, while they found their feet," a source close to Charles told 'The Sunday Times'.
The British Royal Family Isn't Alone. A Look At Other Regal Controversies Around The World
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After keeping a stiff upper lip over Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, Buckingham Palace finally broke its silence, saying it was saddened and concerned. Royal watchers say the foundations of the House of Windsor have been shaken, with comparisons being made with Lady Diana’s famous interview with Martin Bashir on BBC, where she said there were three people in her marriage, and even Edward VIII’s abdication to marry an American divorcee.
The British royals could, perhaps, take some comfort in the fact that this is just one of many scandals, controversies and shocking circumstances royal families around the world have found themselves in.
Take a look:
After keeping a stiff upper lip over Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, Buckingham Palace finally broke its silence, saying it was saddened and c..
Read More
Thailand
In July 2019, Thailand’s ruler, Maha Vajiralongkorn, created a stir when he made Sineenat, a royal guard and former nurse, his “royal noble consort”. It was the first time the title, akin to that of an official mistress, was being used in close to a century. Three months later, the palace announced that Sineenat was stripped of all ranks because she had tried to supplant the queen, the king’s fourth wife. Sineenat then vanished from the public eye only to be reinstated in mid-2020, soon after which hundreds of explicit photos of her were leaked, in what was interpreted as a power struggle in the Thai palace. Controversial stories around the Thai ruler, once photographed in Munich in a crop top and tattoo sleeve, are legion but Thailand’s citizens can’t discuss any of this openly.
The reason? A law which punishes any public criticism of its royals with imprisonment.
Thailand In July 2019, Thailand’s ruler, Maha Vajiralongkorn, created a stir when he made Sineenat, a royal guard and former nurse, his “royal noble consort”. It was the first time the title, akin to..
Read More
Brunei
Tales of Brunei’s prince Jefri Bolkiah are numerous — including salacious stories of his “harem”. He has, for instance, been sued by a former US model over charges that he used her as a “sex slave”. He was also accused by his brother of embezzling $15 billion from the Brunei Investment Agency which resulted in a protracted legal battle that played out in the UK courts. A settlement was finally reached according to which he promised to turn over assets that included 600 properties, over 2,000 cars, over 100 paintings and 9 aircraft.
BruneiTales of Brunei’s prince Jefri Bolkiah are numerous — including salacious stories of his “harem”. He has, for instance, been sued by a former US model over charges that he used her as a “sex sl..
Read More
Sweden
Till 2010, the Swedish royal family had enjoyed a flawless reputation for respectability. But that was blown apart by a tell-all book, The Reluctant Monarch, which portrayed the king, Carl XVI Gustav, as a philanderer who took part in numerous sex parties and frequented strip clubs. The Scandinavian nation erupted in uproar over the book, which also alleged that Sweden’s secret police, Sapo, was involved in concealing the monarch’s unsavoury activities.
SwedenTill 2010, the Swedish royal family had enjoyed a flawless reputation for respectability. But that was blown apart by a tell-all book, The Reluctant Monarch, which portrayed the king, Carl XVI ..
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Saudi Arabia
In November 2017, close to 400 of the most wealthy and powerful people in Saudi Arabia were rounded up and confi ned in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in the most contentious purge of its kind in the kingdom. It was carried out at the behest of the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who alleged that they were guilty of corruption. Saudi offi cials said over $100 billion was recovered from them and returned to the treasury before they were released.
Saudi Arabia In November 2017, close to 400 of the most wealthy and powerful people in Saudi Arabia were rounded up and confi ned in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in the most contentious purge of its kind ..
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Dubai
In 2018, Princess Latifa, daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, tried to flee the country. She was allegedly caught off the coast of Goa and brought back. She had since sent secret video messages where she said she was being held hostage. For a while, the secret messages stopped, sparking concern about her well-being, though the Dubai government officially said she was safe. Two decades ago, her sister, Princess Shamsa, had unsuccessfully tried to escape while in the UK in 2000. She has not been seen in public since.
Dubai In 2018, Princess Latifa, daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, tried to flee the country. She was allegedly caught off the coast of Goa and brought back. She had since..
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Denmark
The Danish are very fond of their royal family. Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary are called the “bicycling royals” for cycling to pick up their kids, and some 70% Danes support the monarchy. So the country was taken aback when, in an interview to a journalist, Princess Marie, wife of Frederik’s younger brother, indicated that she and her husband had more or less been exiled to France by the royal family. Historians viewed this as the outcome of an internal power struggle which the younger sibling lost.
Denmark The Danish are very fond of their royal family. Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Mary are called the “bicycling royals” for cycling to pick up their kids, and some 70% Danes support the mo..
Read More
Nepal
On June 1, 2001, the world was horrifi ed by a massacre in the Himalayan kingdom. The crown prince, Dipendra, went on a murderous rampage, killing nine members of the royal family, including his parents, the king and the queen, before using his gun to kill himself. The mass shooting of the royal family at the Narayanhity Palace and the uproar it caused, laid the ground for the eventual abolition of monarchy in Nepal.
Nepal On June 1, 2001, the world was horrifi ed by a massacre in the Himalayan kingdom. The crown prince, Dipendra, went on a murderous rampage, killing nine members of the royal family, including hi..
Read More
Spain
In March 2020, in an unprecedented move, Spain’s king, Felipe, gave up his personal inheritance and stripped his father and former king, Juan Carlos, of his annual stipend, following allegations that the son would benefit from an offshore fund, set up by the father, with links to Saudi Arabia. A supreme court probe was also launched into his role in a multi-billion dollar deal for a high-speed rail line in Saudi Arabia won by a Spanish company. Carlos announced in August 2020 that he would be going into exile abroad to save his son, the current king, further embarrassment.
(Text Sources: Vanity Fair, BBC, CNN, The Independent)
Spain In March 2020, in an unprecedented move, Spain’s king, Felipe, gave up his personal inheritance and stripped his father and former king, Juan Carlos, of his annual stipend, following allegation..
Meghan Markle vs Kate Middleton? Prince Harry recalls the one-word joke that left the Princess of Wales go silent2026-06-15T14:34:39Z
