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Meghan Markle | Samantha Cohen | Source: Getty Images
Meghan Markle | Samantha Cohen | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle Bullying Allegations: Ex-Royal Staff Member Breaks Silence

Daniella Segell
Apr 17, 2024
08:45 A.M.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been a major topic of discussion since she joined the British Royal Family. Her journey has been full of ups and downs, from her acting career to her royal duties and family life. Recently, she has been in the news for a different reason: allegations of bullying.

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Meghan Markle  during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle during Trooping The Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Samantha Cohen worked closely with the late Queen Elizabeth II. She spoke up in a new interview about allegations of Meghan Markle bullying royal staff. Cohen worked in the royal household for nearly 20 years. She confirmed she was part of an investigation into claims that Meghan bullied royal staff. She did not give many details but mentioned the high number of staff who left their jobs during Meghan’s time.

Samantha Cohen at St Peter and Paul Church in West Newton, Norfolk, for a Sunday morning service on February 8, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

Samantha Cohen at St Peter and Paul Church in West Newton, Norfolk, for a Sunday morning service on February 8, 2018 | Source: Getty Images

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These renewed allegations add more tension and scrutiny. This scrutiny is not just on Meghan but also on the whole royal family. Fans have also added their opinions on the situation, with some supporting Meghan. Yet others criticized Prince Harry's wife.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the long Walk at Windsor Castle arrive to view flowers and tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the long Walk at Windsor Castle arrive to view flowers and tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

The bullying claims against Meghan first appeared before a major television event. Days before Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, were to speak with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, a report emerged. The report stated that Meghan had made several staff members cry while she lived at Kensington Palace.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during Global Citizen Live, New York on September 25, 2021 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during Global Citizen Live, New York on September 25, 2021 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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An internal complaint was made by Jason Knauf, who was then the couple’s communications assistant. He wrote about his concerns in October 2018. He said Meghan had bullied two personal assistants out of their jobs in just one year. Knauf’s complaint described Meghan's behavior as totally unacceptable.

Jason Knauf  on a visit to Leicester City Football Club's King Power Stadium on November 28, 2018 in Leicester, England | Source: Getty Images

Jason Knauf on a visit to Leicester City Football Club's King Power Stadium on November 28, 2018 in Leicester, England | Source: Getty Images

He also mentioned that Meghan seemed to always have someone she was upset with. Knauf expressed worry that the palace would not take action on his complaint. The palace responded to these reports by starting an investigation. However, they decided not to make the findings public. This decision left many questions unanswered.

Meghan Markle inside the Drawing Room during a visit to Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle inside the Drawing Room during a visit to Cardiff Castle on January 18, 2018 in Cardiff, Wales | Source: Getty Images

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Prince Harry and Meghan strongly denied the bullying claims. They described the reports as a "calculated smear campaign." They argued that the allegations were misleading and harmful. The couple was disappointed that such claims were being taken seriously by the media.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit a local farming family, the Woodleys, on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit a local farming family, the Woodleys, on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia | Source: Getty Images

In his book, "Spare," Prince Harry defended his wife. He wrote about Meghan's kindness to their staff. He said she often checked on staff who were sick. Meghan also sent gifts to those who were having a tough time. She organized small gatherings like tea parties and ice cream socials.

Prince Harry's book "Spare" displayed at a Barnes & Noble bookstore on January 10, 2023 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry's book "Spare" displayed at a Barnes & Noble bookstore on January 10, 2023 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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Samantha Cohen, a key figure in the royal household, recently shared her experiences in an interview. She worked with the royal family for nearly 20 years. In her interview, Cohen confirmed she was one of the staff interviewed about the bullying claims against Meghan.

Samantha Cohen at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

Samantha Cohen at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

Cohen did not give many details about what she said during the investigation. However, she mentioned the problem of staff leaving often during Meghan’s time. She herself was only supposed to work with Meghan and Harry for six months. But she ended up staying for 18 months because it was hard to find a replacement. Even when they found someone new, that person quit during a tour in Africa with Meghan and Harry.

Meghan Markle and Samantha Cohen at a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Samantha Cohen at a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in Widnes, England | Source: Getty Images

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Cohen’s comments hint at challenges behind the scenes. These issues were not just about bullying claims. They also involved the high turnover of staff. This made it difficult to maintain a stable work environment.

Samantha Cohen on a visit of the Nyanga Township on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa | Source: Getty Images

Samantha Cohen on a visit of the Nyanga Township on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa | Source: Getty Images

Cohen has been close to many key royal events. She was at Meghan and Harry's wedding and helped Meghan prepare for public royal duties. Despite her long service and dedication, reports suggest that her time with Meghan and Harry was tough.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle  leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave from the West Door of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England | Source: Getty Images

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The allegations against Meghan Markle have sparked a variety of reactions across social media. Some online commentators believe Meghan may be challenging to work with. Others discuss the difficulty of adapting to the expectations of royal life.

Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Conversely, there is a wave of sympathy for the Sussexes. One fan admires Prince Harry for putting his family first. They recognized the stress of their highly publicized lives. It points to a compassionate view of the pressures and scrutiny that come with being part of the royal family.

Meghan Markle attends day two of the Invictus Games 2020 at Zuiderpark on April 17, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle attends day two of the Invictus Games 2020 at Zuiderpark on April 17, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands | Source: Getty Images

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Comparisons with other royals' public moments are also being drawn. A reference to an incident where Prince Charles showed frustration was added. It was a moment caught on camera and labeled as a "tantrum." Fans suggested the standard for behavior were not uniform. This comment brought on the debate on whether there is a double standard in how Meghan's actions are judged compared to other royals.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Meghan Markle during The King's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Meghan Markle during The King's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Questions about transparency are also prevalent. People are curious about the non-disclosure agreements and the unreleased bullying report. The argument is made that if the report cleared Meghan, there would likely be a push for its release. These reactions underscore a public demand for clarity and accountability.

Meghan Markle during The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle during The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

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This is not the first time that royal behavior has been dissected in the public sphere. Recent incidents involving other members of the royal family have also come under scrutiny. A notable incident that caught public attention was the incident that involved King Charles and an incident with a leaking pen.

King Charles signs the guest book at the presidential Bellevue Palace in Berlin, on March 29, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

King Charles signs the guest book at the presidential Bellevue Palace in Berlin, on March 29, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

During a public signing, the King expressed visible frustration when his pen started leaking. The outburst, captured on camera, showed a moment of irritation. This incident has been cited by some fans as a benchmark for evaluating the alleged bullying by Meghan. Fans argued that if moments of frustration from other royals are acceptable, then the same understanding should be applied to Meghan.

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The allegations of bullying against Meghan have stirred a widespread dialogue. This dialogue encompasses empathy, skepticism, and calls for transparency. The unfolding narrative has been recently reignited by comments from Samantha Cohen. While specific details from Cohen remain scarce, her remarks on staff turnover have added weight to the discourse.

Meghan Markle during The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Meghan Markle during The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

As we've seen, public opinion is deeply divided. Some feel that Meghan may be difficult to work with, reflecting on the challenges that come with royal responsibilities. Others show compassion. These fans highlight the intense scrutiny that the Sussexes face and praising Prince Harry’s commitment to his family.

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