Ex-royal aide Jason Knauf defends his leaked bullying claims, insisting Meghan Markle deserved scrutiny
Jason Knauf, the former royal aide at the centre of the Meghan Markle scandal, has broken his silence on her alleged mistreatment of palace staff. In a candid interview, he defended his decision to speak out, insisting that the fallout from his leaked complaint was both justified and necessary.
Knauf’s 2021 email to the Palace—accusing Meghan of creating a toxic work environment—sparked a major scandal, casting a long shadow over the Duchess of Sussex’s public image. Now, years later, he remains resolute. “I wouldn’t change anything,” he told Australia Today, making it clear that he stands by his claims.
Without naming Meghan directly, Knauf suggested that she had reaped what she sowed. “You know, someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye… you probably had to take your own medicine sometimes.” His words hinted at the backlash Meghan has faced, from public criticism to strained royal relations.
Knauf, who previously worked for Prince William and Princess Kate, acknowledged that scrutiny is unavoidable in the royal sphere. “You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job,” he added. “And that applies to the Prince and Princess as well as everyone else working for them.”
The bullying allegations against Meghan first surfaced in 2021, with claims that she had driven two palace aides to quit and left others feeling humiliated. While Meghan’s team denied the accusations, calling them a “calculated smear campaign,” the controversy fuelled tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
Knauf’s latest remarks suggest that, despite the uproar, he believes accountability was necessary. His words may reignite debates over Meghan’s time as a working royal, as well as the power dynamics within the monarchy itself.
As the Sussexes continue to navigate their post-royal lives, Knauf’s statements serve as a reminder that the ghosts of the past are never too far behind.
