Jason Knauf, a former royal aide who accused Meghan Markle of bullying junior staff, has spoken publicly for the first time about the controversy.
Knauf, who worked for Prince William and Kate Middleton between 2015 and 2021 and previously served as Prince Harry and Meghan’s press secretary, appeared in the 60 Minutes Australia documentary Where There’s A Will.
In 2018, he raised concerns in an internal email about Meghan’s alleged treatment of staff, an email that was later leaked to the media. Meghan, 43, has consistently denied the allegations, calling them part of a “calculated smear campaign” based on misinformation.
Reflecting on the events, Knauf stated that he has “no regrets” and “wouldn’t change anything.” When asked if the public scrutiny was difficult, he admitted it was challenging but ultimately “probably quite good,” as he had to apply the same advice he gave others about handling public attention.
Despite the fallout, Knauf shared that he had “great times” working with Harry and Meghan and described their 2018 wedding as a “magical experience.” He also expressed well wishes for the couple and their family.
Buckingham Palace launched an internal review into the bullying claims, but the findings were never made public. Meghan maintains that the allegations were part of an orchestrated attack against her.
Knauf’s Career with the Royals
Following his time with Harry and Meghan, Knauf became a special adviser to William and Kate and later served as CEO of the Royal Foundation, leading initiatives like the Earthshot Prize and the Heads Together mental health campaign. He left the foundation in 2021 to move abroad, calling his tenure “the honor of a lifetime.”
The book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Valentine Low provided further details about Knauf’s concerns, including an email he sent in 2018 to Prince William’s private secretary, Simon Case, citing “very serious problems” with Meghan’s behavior.
Royal Family Challenges and William’s Struggles
In 2024, both King Charles and Princess Kate were diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer, prompting William to describe the year as “brutal” for the family. During this time, wild conspiracy theories about Kate’s health and whereabouts spread across social media.
Knauf revealed in the documentary that William was at his “lowest” after learning of his wife and father’s illnesses. “I couldn’t believe it. It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him,” he said.
A Close Call with Princess Charlotte’s Birth Announcement
Knauf also shared a behind-the-scenes mishap from 2015 when he nearly leaked the birth announcement of Princess Charlotte. He received details about the birth before some royal family members were informed, but at one point, he realized he had lost the press release containing key information, including the time of birth and Charlotte’s weight.
Miraculously, no media outlet discovered the document, and the announcement proceeded as planned. “It was heart in mouth until we got through it,” he recalled. “I never found it, and neither did any of the media—so that’s all that really mattered.”
The Future of King William
The 60 Minutes documentary Where There’s A Will explores Prince William’s future as King, featuring insights from journalists and royal insiders.
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