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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Neil Shaw

Report into claims Meghan bullied staff at Buckingham Palace has been sealed

The Royal Family has brought in a number of policy changes following an investigation into claims that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, bullied staff while she was in England. But the details of the investigation will never be made public - according to The Times.

An independent firm of lawyers was commissioned by The Queen to investigate claims that staff at Buckingham Palace and other royal properties had been subjected to bullying. Royal sources have now told The Times the findings: "will be kept under wraps to protect the privacy of those who took part and to limit tensions between the Sussexes and the palace."

The investigation began in March and was concluded recently. Meghan always denied the claims and her lawyers called them a “calculated smear campaign”.

Buckingham Palace said it would “not tolerate any bullying and harassment” and was “very concerned by the allegations”. It was claimed that two personal assistants to Meghan were forced out and a third also complained.

A palace spokesman said at the launch of the investigation: “Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learnt. The royal household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”

The first complaint was made in October 2018 by Jason Knauf, former communications secretary for the Sussexes. In a formal letter he said: “I am very concerned that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year.”

The Times says Meghan’s former PA, Melissa Touabti, took part in the investigation. She left Kensington Palace six months after Harry and Meghan’s wedding. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to participate in the inquiry.

Meghan’s solicitor, Jenny Afia, told the BBC: “What bullying actually means is improperly using power repeatedly and deliberately to hurt someone, physically or emotionally. The Duchess of Sussex absolutely denies ever doing that. Knowing her as I do I can’t believe she would ever do that.”

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

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