Jason Knauf, a former royal aide who accused Meghan Markle of bullying junior staff, has publicly addressed the controversy for the first time.
Knauf, who worked for Prince William and Kate Middleton from 2015 to 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. That email 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 situation, Knauf stated that he has “no regrets” and “wouldn’t change anything.” When asked about the intense public scrutiny, he acknowledged it was difficult but ultimately “probably quite good,” as it forced him to take his own advice on handling media attention.
Despite the fallout, Knauf said 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 has maintained that the allegations were part of an orchestrated attack against her.
Knauf’s Royal Career
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, overseeing initiatives such as the Earthshot Prize and the Heads Together mental health campaign. He left the foundation in 2021 to move abroad, calling his time there “the honor of a lifetime.”
The book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Valentine Low explored Knauf’s concerns in more detail, including an email he sent in 2018 to Prince William’s private secretary, Simon Case, citing “very serious problems” with Meghan’s behavior.
A Challenging Year for the Royal Family
In 2024, both King Charles and Princess Kate were diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer, prompting Prince William to describe the year as “brutal” for the family. At the same time, conspiracy theories about Kate’s health and whereabouts spread widely on 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 had 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 details, including the time of birth and Charlotte’s weight.
Fortunately, no media outlets 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.”
Prince William’s Future as King
The 60 Minutes documentary Where There’s A Will examines Prince William’s future role as King, featuring insights from journalists and royal insiders.
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