Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview - and the growing rift between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace - Sky News

When season four of The Crown drew to a close on Netflix last year, many people thought they were in for a long wait before their next dose of royal drama.

That has all changed in recent weeks, as Harry and Meghan's highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey is set to be broadcast, and Buckingham Palace is investigating "very concerning" bullying complaints against the duchess.

Here, we look at the escalating row between the Sussexes and the palace.

'Perpetuating falsehoods'

On 4 March 2021 the Duchess of Sussex accuses the Royal Family of "perpetuating falsehoods" against her and Prince Harry.

Advertisement

During a teaser clip for their CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan says: "I don't know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.

"And, if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, I ... there is a lot that has been lost already."

This all comes as Prince Philip recovers from a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition after already having spent more than two weeks in hospital.

The interview is set to be broadcast in the US on Sunday 7 March and in the UK the next day.

Bullying complaints

The Times newspaper reports a complaint was made by the Sussexes' then-communications secretary Jason Knauf in October 2018.

On 3 March 2021 Buckingham Palace says it will investigate the claims that Meghan bullied members of staff while she was a working royal.

The Sussexes respond by saying they are being targeted in a "smear campaign".

Lawyers for the couple say The Times reports were based on "misleading and harmful misinformation".

Image: Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah could be a difficult watch for the Royal Family

'History repeating'

On 1 March 2021 Prince Harry says he feared "history repeating itself" and the process of leaving royal life has been "unbelievably tough" for him and his wife Meghan.

The remarks come out in one of the first promo clips for the Oprah interview.

Harry says: "I'm just really relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side."

Image: Oprah Winfrey at Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018

As a photo is shown of him as a child with his mother, Princess Diana, he continues: "Because I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process by herself all those years ago, because it's been unbelievably tough for the two of us.

"But at least we have each other."

'Never walking away'

On 26 February 2021 Harry reveals in a candid interview with James Corden that he felt the need to step back from royal duties because of "toxic" stories about him in the British press.

He says it was "never walking away", but "stepping back rather than stepping down".

"We all know what the British press can be like. And it was destroying my mental health. I was like... 'this is toxic'."

Harry says he did what "any husband and father would do - I need to get my family out of here".

'Never returning as working royals'

On 19 February 2021 it emerges that Harry and Meghan have told the Queen they will not return as working members of the Royal Family.

Buckingham Palace says the rest of the family is "saddened" by their decision" but they "remain much loved members of the family".

Sky's royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, says there appears to have been "tense discussions" behind the scenes and that the couple "don't sound happy" in their latest statement.

Image: The Queen was said to have been 'disappointed' by the Sussexes' decision to step back

With them stepping back permanently from royal duties, the palace says the Queen confirmed in writing that it is "not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service".

Harry and Meghan say in their statement that: "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."

The Oprah interview announcement

Later in February, the Sussexes confirm they will give their first interview since stepping back from royal duties by sitting down with Oprah Winfrey.

Buckingham Palace say they will not be commenting on the Sussexes' decision to do the interview.

The announcement comes a day after the duke and duchess revealed they are expecting their second child.

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The bombshell announcement that started it all: Harry and Meghan step back from royal duties

In January 2020, the Sussexes declare on Instagram that they will "step back" from their roles as working royals.

They say they will divide their time between the UK and North America and become financially independent.

Buckingham Palace warns the move will be "complicated" and take time.

It is later reported that the Queen is disappointed Harry and Meghan had failed to consult her about their decision.

Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills says: "I'm told that the statement was solely written by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - no senior members of the Royal Family were consulted before it was released."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2tleS1tb21lbnRzLWluLXRoZS1ncm93aW5nLXJpZnQtYmV0d2Vlbi10aGUtc3Vzc2V4ZXMtYW5kLXRoZS1yb3lhbC1mYW1pbHktMTIyMzU0NTLSAXFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAva2V5LW1vbWVudHMtaW4tdGhlLWdyb3dpbmctcmlmdC1iZXR3ZWVuLXRoZS1zdXNzZXhlcy1hbmQtdGhlLXJveWFsLWZhbWlseS0xMjIzNTQ1Mg?oc=5

2021-03-04 13:59:24Z
52781415449045

Oprah interview: Meghan accuses palace of 'perpetuating falsehoods' - BBC News

The Duchess of Sussex has said Buckingham Palace could not expect her and Prince Harry to be silent if it was "perpetuating falsehoods about us".

In a clip of Oprah Winfrey's interview with the couple, Meghan had been asked how she felt about the palace hearing her "speak your truth today".

Meghan also said: "If that comes with risk of losing things, I mean... there is a lot that has been lost already."

Buckingham Palace is investigating claims the duchess bullied royal staff.

The allegations of bullying levelled at Meghan were published after the interview with Oprah was recorded.

• The Meghan and Harry story
• Profile: Duchess of Sussex
• Why Meghan gets compared to Princess Diana

The interview with Oprah, which will air in the US on Sunday and in the UK on Monday, is expected to detail Harry and Meghan's short period as working royals together before they stepped down for a life in the US.

In the 30-second teaser clip released by CBS, Oprah asks the duchess: "How do you feel about the palace hearing you speak your truth today?"

Meghan replies: "I don't know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit their roles as senior working royals in March 2020, and now live in California.

A report in the Times newspaper on Wednesday claimed the duchess faced a complaint made in October 2018, while the duke and duchess were living at Kensington Palace after their marriage in May of that year.

A leaked email sent from a staff member, which was published by the newspaper, alleges that Meghan drove two personal assistants out of the household. The report claims she undermined the confidence of a third member of staff.

In a statement later, Buckingham Palace - which is responsible for the hiring of royal staff - said it was "clearly very concerned about allegations in the Times" and its HR team would look into the circumstances outlined in the article.

"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 gloves have come off

If anyone thought Prince Harry and Meghan were going to restrict their criticism to the British media, a sector they have made clear they loathe, they should think again. "The Firm" - aka the Royal Family and its staff - is clearly in their sights.

This isn't directly about the allegations of bullying levelled at Meghan, and also to a lesser degree Harry. They were published after the interview was recorded. But the couple see the allegations as an example of how some people in the palace brief against them.

We'll have to wait for the interview to find out exactly what "falsehoods" the couple believe have been put out by the palace. The bullying allegations - which are vigorously denied by the couple - are being investigated.

But it's clear that the gloves have come off, and that the ties of family have not restrained the couple as they seek to put their side of the story.

Past and present royal employees are to be invited to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for Meghan as part of the investigation.

'Attack on her character'

The bullying allegations are denied by Meghan and Prince Harry.

A statement issued by Meghan's spokesman in response to the newspaper's story 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.

"She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good."

Author Anna Pasternak - who wrote a book on Princess Diana's affair with James Hewitt - said she thought "the whole issue stems to when Meghan first entered the Royal Family".

"I think she was naïve, she didn't really understand the monarchy or 'The Firm' as she rightly puts it, and the constricts of royal power. She was naive to think that she could modernise the monarchy, that she could have her voice and could do things her way," she told Radio 5 Live.

But Rachel C. Boyle, head of interdisciplinary studies at Leeds Beckett University, said the Oprah interview was "absolutely the right thing to do at this point".

"I feel like Meghan has not been given the opportunity to defend herself or to respond to any of the claims that have previously been made about her in the media, in a space that allows her to express herself."

Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese

Meghan and Prince Harry's TV interview with Oprah will be aired on CBS in the US on the evening of Sunday 7 March.

In the UK, the interview will be screened on ITV at 21:00 GMT on Monday 8 March.

CBS has said Meghan will be interviewed about "stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood" and "how she is handling life under intense public pressure".

She will then be joined by Prince Harry, and the couple will speak about their move to the US last year and their future plans.

In an earlier clip released by CBS, the Duke of Sussex drew parallels between the treatment of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Meghan.

Just hours before the interview is aired in the US, a special programme to celebrate Commonwealth Day will be broadcast on BBC One at 17:00 on Sunday 7 March.

It comes as Buckingham Palace announced that the Duke of Edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition and will be remaining in hospital for a number of days.

• BBC HEADROOM: Your mental health toolkit - Mindful tips, mood mixes and motivation
• NADIYA: ANXIETY AND ME: Nadiya Hussain sets out to find the cause of her anxiety, exploring the most effective, available treatments

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiJmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLTU2Mjc1ODg40gEqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLTU2Mjc1ODg4?oc=5

2021-03-04 13:28:52Z
52781415449045

Team Sturgeon breathes a sigh of relief - BBC News

Reuters

A collective sigh of relief went around Nicola Sturgeon's team after she finished eight hours of questioning by MSPs.

The conclusion among Team Sturgeon was that there were no real punches landed; nothing which would be highly damaging - even fatal - for the first minster's position.

Good shift

That was the message from the Scottish Government ministers despatched on Thursday morning to make the first minister's case.

Constitutional Affairs minister Mike Russell praised the first minister's resilience on BBC radio, arguing Ms Sturgeon was honest about the mistakes made but clear that she would learn from them.

Mr Russell said Scots were in awe of her performance. Even the first minister's critics accepted she put in a good shift.

• Sturgeon 'had no reason to want to get' Salmond
• Lock back on Nicola Sturgeon's evidence session
• What did Alex Salmond tell MSPs? - find out here

The ship, it is thought, has been steadied a bit. A vote of no confidence in the first minister won't pass at this stage - several people around Holyrood think the Scottish Tories moved too early.

But in the words of a senior ally of Ms Sturgeon: "I'm not under any illusion the story is going to go away - it's not."

Reuters

Opposition parties are still asking questions - and want more answers.

Firstly, over Ms Sturgeon's meetings with Alex Salmond.

The first minister previously said she forgot a meeting in Holyrood on 29 March 2018, where it is claimed she was first told about allegations against Mr Salmond. At that meeting, a private discussion with Mr Salmond was planned for a few days later at Ms Sturgeon's home.

But Ms Sturgeon originally told parliament she had found out about the allegations at the latter meeting - on the 2 April. There is still an allegation on the table that Ms Sturgeon broke the ministerial code by not revealing the first meeting earlier.

It also matters because if 2 April was government business - ie to discuss a government investigation - why did Ms Sturgeon not report it to senior civil servants?

Ms Sturgeon says she didn't want to compromise the investigation being carried out by the government, but others believe there are still holes in the story.

Why, opposition sources ask, did Ms Sturgeon not report her further private meetings with Mr Salmond when it was clear he was asking her about government business?

There's also the question of whether the name of a complainant was revealed by a Scottish government official.

Ms Sturgeon doesn't think it was.

She says Mr Salmond knew one of the names because he had previously apologised for his actions and found the other through looking at social media. But Mr Salmond's account of this is different - and appears to be backed up by others.

In the coming hours and days, you can expect to see more legal advice given to the Scottish government. Will it show anything new?

The committee continues to pore over messages between senior SNP figures, which Mr Salmond believes show there was a plot to "get" him.

So far, there doesn't appear to be a smoking gun, but Mr Salmond is adamant there is something there. Ms Sturgeon has said the idea is absurd.

Reuters

Mr Salmond has also sent supporting documents to the committee. Who would rule out hearing more from him in the coming days?

A lot in this case comes down to whom you believe - and your interpretation of complicated events. It isn't black and white.

There will, however, have to be some sort of finality to all of this before the election on 6 May.

The committee still intends to publish a full report on its long, complex inquiry before the Scottish parliament breaks up for the election.

The chances of a unanimous report seem pretty slim, but what will be said about the first minister's decisions?

Most crucial, however, will be the report from Ms Sturgeon's independent adviser on the ministerial code.

James Hamilton QC is continuing to speak to witnesses this week, but there's an expectation he too will deliver his conclusions this month.

This is likely to be the big moment where we get as close to a conclusion as possible.

Ms Sturgeon talked about the Hamilton conclusions several times during her evidence.

Senior figures in government believe that while the committee can be accused of having political motivations - Mr Hamilton can't and in that sense his conclusions can't be challenged.

When will that report come? Nobody really seems to know for sure.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiP2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy91ay1zY290bGFuZC1zY290bGFuZC1wb2xpdGljcy01NjI4MTg1NNIBQ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9hbXAvdWstc2NvdGxhbmQtc2NvdGxhbmQtcG9saXRpY3MtNTYyODE4NTQ?oc=5

2021-03-04 13:25:11Z
52781408867481

Brexit: EU negotiating 'with partner it can't trust', says Coveney - BBC News

PA Media

The EU is "negotiating with a partner it simply can't trust" in post-Brexit talks, Ireland's foreign minister has said.

On Wednesday, the UK said it would unilaterally extend grace periods for Irish Sea border checks, a move the EU said was a breach of international law.

Simon Coveney said he preferred "engagement", but the UK government was driving the EU towards legal action.

The grace periods mean procedures and checks are not yet fully applied.

Northern Ireland has remained a part of the EU's single market for goods so products arriving from GB undergo EU import procedures.

The first of these periods will expire at the end of March, but the UK has said it will be extended until October.

• What are Brexit border controls between GB and NI?

Mr Coveney said progress was being made on the Northern Ireland Protocol and the timing of the UK's move could not be worse.

PA Media

"That is why the EU is now looking at legal options and legal action which means a much more formalised and rigid negotiation process as opposed to a process of partnership where you try to solve the problems together," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme.

Conservative MP Simon Hoare, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said the UK needed to be alert to Mr Coveney's comments as it was important to maintain trust.

"If we go into these joint committees with an atmosphere of mistrust, my fear is... they won't be as fruitful as they could be and certainly the mood music is going to be in a minor key rather than in a major key," he told BBC Radio Foyle.

"You don't want to be moving house and then find in the first week that you move in that you're having a boundaries dispute with your neighbour."

Mr Coveney's party leader Leo Varadkar, who is Ireland's tánaiste (deputy prime minister), said the UK's actions were neither the way a friend, nor "a respectable, honourable country", should behave.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the UK was "taking several temporary operational steps to avoid disruptive cliff edges", and was continuing engagement with the EU through the Joint Committee, the body which facilitates ongoing negotiations between the EU and the UK.

"These recognise that appropriate time must be provided for businesses to implement new requirements, and support the effective flow of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland," he said.

'Within the UK's remit'

DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the EU's recent move to trigger Article 16 showed "very clearly that it remains within their remit to take unilateral action to protect the EU's single market".

"Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, the UK Government has the same power - to act unilaterally to protect the integrity of the UK internal market and trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain," he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

The EU reversed its Article 16 move within hours of taking the action, following condemnation from Belfast, London and Dublin.

European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič later described the move as a mistake which had been made in the "intensity of the moment" of trying to secure Covid-19 vaccines.

The move by the UK government to unilaterally extend grace periods for Irish Sea border checks put Ireland in an uncomfortable position.

Mr Coveney said Ireland was lobbying at the EU level to obtain easements on trade between GB and Northern Ireland.

Other Irish MEPs have written to the European Commission calling for an extension.

But there will be other member states who will be reluctant to offer any concessions if the UK is going to ride rough-shod over the process.

So what could be the end game?

The two sides will continue negotiating. The EU says it is looking at legal avenues open to it under both the withdrawal agreement and the wider UK-EU agreement.

However, the UK may question what practical steps the EU will really take if grace periods are extended.

The UK statement on Wednesday indicated the extra time gained by an extension of the grace period could be used to develop systems to ease trade between GB and NI in the long term.

The UK was also at pains to say it is not walking away from the protocol, it is simply finding ways to implement it.

On Wednesday, Mr Šefčovič said the UK's move to extend grace periods amounted to "a violation of the relevant substantive provisions" of the NI Protocol.

He said the EU would respond in accordance with the "legal means" established by the protocol and the wider Brexit deal.

Following a call on Wednesday evening between Mr Šefčovič and Lord Frost, the Cabinet Office minister with responsibility for EU relations, a UK government spokesperson said "official-level notification" of the move was made to the commission earlier this week.

Lord Frost had underlined the extension was needed for "operational reasons" and such measures were "well precedented in other international trade arrangements, and that they were entirely consistent with our intention to discharge our obligations under the Protocol in good faith", said a government spokesman.

Further guidance would be provided later this week on a grace period for parcel movements from Britain to Northern Ireland, he added.

That is due to to end on 1 April, meaning all parcels would need customs declarations.

What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?

The Northern Ireland Protocol is part of the Brexit deal which prevents a hardening of the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It does that by keeping Northern Ireland in the EU single market for goods.

That has created a new trade border with Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Unionists oppose the protocol, arguing that it has damaged internal trade from GB to NI and poses a risk to the future of the UK union.

But anti-Brexit parties in NI say that it must be implemented in full, and that issues should be worked out through joint UK-EU processes.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy93b3JsZC1ldXJvcGUtNTYyNzgxMjXSATJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iYmMuY29tL25ld3MvYW1wL3dvcmxkLWV1cm9wZS01NjI3ODEyNQ?oc=5

2021-03-04 11:17:39Z
52781417096531

Budget 2021: 'Scrooge Sunak not levelling with people' on cuts - BBC News

Getty Images

Public spending cuts in Rishi Sunak's Budget mean the chancellor "isn't really levelling with people", the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank has warned.

The Treasury said the cuts, worth £4bn, were "a purely mechanical change", but Paul Johnson of the IFS said they were set to cause more pain.

At the same time, big tax rises were "screeching U-turns", Mr Johnson said.

"Santa Sunak" was now looking more like "Scrooge Sunak", he added.

Meanwhile, "pressure will mount" on Mr Sunak not to cut universal credit by £20 a week after September, Mr Johnson said.

He said that going for such a "cliff-edge reduction" was "remarkable".

'Two Budgets'

In his post-Budget analysis, Mr Johnson highlighted freezes in income tax allowances and rises in corporation tax.

The corporation tax rise to 25% would take the UK "well up the international league table" for revenues, he said, but it was "50-50 at best" whether it would actually happen without additional concessions.

"This was, of course, a tale of two Budgets," said Mr Johnson in response to Mr Sunak's economic plans.

"By the end of the forecast period, we are looking at a fiscal tightening of over £30bn relative to previous plans.

"Take account of the cuts to planned spending announced in the autumn and Santa Sunak, purveyor of billions today, looks more like Scrooge Sunak, cutting spending and raising taxes to the tune of nearly £50bn relative to his pre-pandemic plans of March 2020."

• Budget tax changes fair, says Sunak
• Ten ways the Budget will affect you

The income tax allowance freezes were set to raise about £9bn, while the corporation tax changes could see revenues rise by more than £17bn by 2025, Mr Johnson said.

He was sceptical that the plans to cut a further £4bn from public spending could be delivered, saying they would cause "additional pain" if they went ahead.

"Now these are not firm plans, but they are the basis for the future public finance estimates. They are a very shaky basis," Mr Johnson said.

"This isn't just a mechanical change and presenting it as such means the chancellor isn't really levelling with people about the choices the government is making to repair the public finances."

Mr Johnson also criticised Mr Sunak's universal credit changes.

"It is, by the way, remarkable that while the chancellor felt the need for a gradual phase out of furlough, business rates support, stamp duty reductions and VAT reductions, he is still set on a cliff-edge reduction in [universal credit] such that incomes of some of the poorest families will fall by over £80 between one month and the next.

"Whatever the case for cutting generosity into the longer term, if you're going to do so, the case for doing it gradually rather than all at once looks unanswerable."

In a BBC interview, the chancellor rejected suggestions that he should have tapered the ending of the £20-a-week universal credit increase in order to minimise its effect on families.

"We have extended it generously and in full, but it's important to remember that it's one of many things that we're doing to support people," Mr Sunak said.

These included increases in the National Living Wage and offering help with council tax payments, he added.

Getty Images

Earlier, the government came under fire from campaigners for doing too little in the Budget to address inequality.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Resolution Foundation said the cut in universal credit would bring the incomes of benefit recipients down to levels not seen since the early 1990s.

It would also pull half a million people into poverty, just as unemployment was expected to peak.

Mr Sunak's decision to spend even larger sums to support the economic recovery now and put off raising taxes until later was broadly welcomed in the Resolution Foundation's analysis of the Budget.

But it noted that while GDP is set to grow this year by 4%, that might not feed through to better living standards, with wages by the middle of the decade set to remain £1,200 a year - or 4.3% - below where they would have been without the coronavirus pandemic.

Austerity would drag on for some, it added, with day-to-day spending on government departments such as transport and local government set to fall in real terms next year and remain almost a quarter lower than a decade ago.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an anti-poverty charity, said the universal credit changes meant single recipients of it would see their incomes cut by £20 a week, just as the furlough scheme is ended and unemployment was expected to rise to its peak, the foundation said.

It predicted that would pull half a million people into poverty, including 200,000 children, adding that the Budget was silent on helping 700,000 households who have fallen behind on rent because of the pandemic and are now at risk of eviction.

Responding to the Resolution Foundation's analysis, Mr Sunak told the BBC that it had hailed his decision to freeze income tax thresholds as a "progressive measure" and "a fair way to do what we need to do".

• Budget 2021: Key points at-a-glance
• Million more set to pay income tax by 2026
• Furlough to be extended until September in Budget

Are you receiving universal credit? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Upload pictures or video
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiLGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2J1c2luZXNzLTU2Mjc2OTUz0gEwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL2J1c2luZXNzLTU2Mjc2OTUz?oc=5

2021-03-04 11:07:56Z
52781409622088

Meghan 'rowed with Palace staff over freebie designer clothes' - Metro.co.uk

Meghan is said to have rowed with aides about ‘freebie’ designer clothes (Picture: Getty)

Meghan Markle clashed with royal aides over wearing designer dresses, according to reports.

It comes as Buckingham Palace launched a bullying investigation into the Duchess of Sussex, around historic claims made against her when she was a working royal.

She strongly denies all the allegations against her, which arose amid heightened tensions between the couple and the rest of the royal family – and ahead of a highly anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey early next week. She has also accused the family of ‘perpetuating falsehoods’.

Meghan, who is pregnant and expecting a second child with Prince Harry this year, wore designer labels while she was a working royal.

One unnamed source told The Sun: ‘As an actress it was perfectly acceptable to take freebies sent by fashion chains and designer labels.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘But Meghan had to be told it was not the done thing when you are a member of the royal family.’

It comes after The Times reported that one of Meghan’s closest advisers, Jason Knauf, had made bullying allegations against her.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan at Windsor Castle on their wedding day (Picture: Getty Images)

The paper reported claims that Meghan had driven out two personal assistants and undermined the confidence of a third — allegations which she denies.

Now it is being suggested that some of the rows were sparked by arguments around her clothing.

The royal family are said to be focused on the health of hospitalised Prince Philip, 99.

But Buckingham Palace said it was ‘very concerned’ about the allegations and would look into them.

SpaceX's latest Starship prototype performed a perfect touchdown, then exploded

In a statement in said that the royal household has a dignity at work policy and ‘does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace’.

The Duke and Duchess partly left the country because of what they saw as unfair treatment by the British media and refuse to co-operate with a number of tabloid newspapers, including The Sun.

It is unclear if they deny the allegations around designer clothing in the paper and a spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Metro.co.uk.

But responding to the bullying allegations generally in a statement earlier this week, a spokesman for the Sussexes said: ‘Let’s just call this what it is — a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.

Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Prince Harry

‘It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.’

He continued: ‘In a detailed legal letter of rebuttal to The Times, we have addressed these defamatory claims in full, including spurious allegations regarding the use of gifts loaned to The Duchess by the Crown.

‘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.

‘She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.’

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE : Prince Philip’s treatment ‘is hurting him’ but he’s ‘improving’, Camilla reveals

Advertisement

Advertisement

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZWh0dHBzOi8vbWV0cm8uY28udWsvMjAyMS8wMy8wNC9tZWdoYW4tcm93ZWQtd2l0aC1wYWxhY2Utc3RhZmYtb3Zlci1mcmVlYmllLWRlc2lnbmVyLWNsb3RoZXMtMTQxODQ3ODMv0gFpaHR0cHM6Ly9tZXRyby5jby51ay8yMDIxLzAzLzA0L21lZ2hhbi1yb3dlZC13aXRoLXBhbGFjZS1zdGFmZi1vdmVyLWZyZWViaWUtZGVzaWduZXItY2xvdGhlcy0xNDE4NDc4My9hbXAv?oc=5

2021-03-04 10:06:00Z
52781415449045