MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry left royal staff in pieces with their ‘difficult’ demands, a royal expert said today.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Richard Palmer said “no one could do anything right” in the eyes of the couple.
6
6
6
6
He also revealed there were always “huge inquests” after every public engagement the duke and duchess carried out.
The pair’s behaviour caused fallings out among royal staff and aides, including himself and a royal aide.
He said: “There were staff in the royal household complaining about the way Harry and Meghan were treating them .
“I’ve certainly spoken to people who have said that nothing they did for them was ever right – and there was always a massive inquest after every royal engagement that they did.
“It would be: ‘Why did we do this? Why did you say that?’ I think it was really difficult for a lot of people.”
It comes as the royal couple this week hired a new communication officer, Charlie Gipson, who will represent them in the UK.
Mr Palmer was quick to point out that things were not smooth sailing with their last comm secretary – Sara Latham.
US-born Latham, who formerly worked for Hilary Clinton, was placed in charge of the couple while they were still working royals.
However, she was forced to deal with a PR storm when a bullying complaint was raised against Meghan – which saw 10 royal aides be interviewed by the palace.
Speaking to The Sun’s Matt Wilkinson, Mr Palmer explained: “Sara was in a really difficult situation. She was caught between a rock and a hard place.
“She was trying to be loyal to the people who employed her – Harry and Meghan – and she was getting pelter from the press because of the way they were behaving.”
Mr Palmer says at the time, it caused him to fall out with Latham as she struggled to deal with the press.
At the time, Meghan was branded ‘Duchess Difficult’ by palace insiders because of her “dictatorial” behaviour and 5am emails.
Sources alleged to The Times that Meghan drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.
The duchess was even said to have snapped “it’s not my job to coddle people” after aides were left in tears and humiliated by her “difficult demands”.
The Times’ report further claimed Meghan “humiliated” at least one ex-staffer while another said the Duchess’ behaviour felt “more like emotional cruelty and manipulation…”
In an unprecedented move the Palace released a statement saying they were “very concerned” at claims the Duchess bullied staff.
The bombshell statement said: “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article.”
One claim was that Duchess of Sussex moaned ‘I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this’ while meeting Australians on tour.
A second explosive allegation suggested Meghan threatened to “break up with Harry if he didn’t announce they were dating“.
The late Queen paid for a law firm to investigate the claims in 2018 – however the completed dossier will reportedly remain secret for confidentiality reasons.
MEGXIT TERMS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on January 8, 2020, they would be stepping down as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.
On January 18 it was announced that the Sussexes would “no longer be working members of Britain’s Royal Family”, and would not use their “Royal Highness” titles.
A Palace spokeswoman said the couple would no longer receive public money and that they would repay the £2.4million cost of refurbishing their cottage — Frogmore — in Windsor, Berks.
The following day, Harry said in a heartfelt speech: “Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”
The Duke of Sussex said he had found the “love and happiness I had hoped for all my life” with Meghan.
Palace staff were reportedly left furious the results were being kept “buried”.
Everyone interviewed by the investigation was told the findings, it is believed.
Although the results of the inquiry are top secret, the investigation did lead to changes in Buckingham Palace.
Royal sources said the palace made adjustments “improving the policies and procedures” in its HR department.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Harry and Meghan were not invited to participate in the inquiry.
Meghan has always denied bullying claims, saying she is “saddened” by them.
6
6
