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Meghan Markle ‘bullying’ caused ‘real stress, trauma and human toll’ at Palace, insider claims

MEGHAN Markle’s ‘bullying’ reportedly caused “real stress and trauma” at the Palace.

An insider claims her behaviour took a “human toll” on staff – something she strongly denies.

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Meghan Markle’s ‘bullying’ reportedly caused “real stress and trauma” at the Palace[/caption]

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, was accused of bullying in an email from her former press secretary sent in October 2018, leaked to The Times.

In it, Jason Knauf said he was “very concerned” that Meghan “was able to bully two PAs out of the household”.

A pair of senior staff members came forward last month, claiming they had been bullied by Meghan.

And another former aide complained they had been personally “humiliated” by the duchess, who allegedly also bullied two other members of staff.

A source told PEOPLE: “For [some staffers] there was real stress and real trauma.

“These are real people and there is a human toll.”

The Queen launched a probe into the allegations and the Palace released a statement saying they were “very concerned” and would be investigating.

The Palace has since reportedly decided to bring in a third-party law firm to conduct the investigation into bullying claims made by both current and former Royal aides.

Handout – Getty

The bullying claims were aired ahead of Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey[/caption]

AFP

Meghan has vehemently denied the assertions, branding them a “calculated smear campaign”[/caption]

Meghan has vehemently denied the assertions, branding them a “calculated smear campaign”.

Her spokesperson said: “The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”

The duchess is understood to have demanded to see any of the documents, emails, and text messages related to the complaints.

Palace staff are said to be armed with “harrowing stories” in relation to bullying allegations made against Meghan, a royal insider previously told The Times.

“The actual worst incidences haven’t come out. There are some harrowing stories to tell,” they claimed.

It comes as…

The bullying claims were aired ahead of Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

But the explosive chat was filmed before the accusations, meaning they weren’t asked about them.

However, even without the topic, the broadcast has thrown the royals into crisis over other serious accusations.

Meghan revealed she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time in the UK.

She also claimed there were “concerns” over how dark her and Harry’s first child Archie might be, and conversations surrounding his title.

Meghan said: “In those months when I was pregnant, we had in tandem the conversations of him not being given security or a title, and also concerns about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.

“They didn’t want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the gender would be, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn’t going to receive security.”

A source told PEOPLE there was “anger” at the Palace in response to the claims, as well as “deep sorrow and shock”.


The Queen has said the claims raised regarding concerns over the colour of Archie’s skin would be investigated and “addressed privately”. 

A statement from the Palace said: “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.”