Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Former Aide Adds Fuel to the Fire Amid Staff Mistreatment Allegations

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Both in and out of the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have had quite an odd history with their staff. Their nonprofit Archewell had quite a few massive staff turnovers, with many high-standing staffers quitting soon after starting. Many have been concerned of what goes on behind closed doors, and one former royal aide just added fuel to the fire.

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Samantha Cohen revealed to The Herald Sun that she, along with nine other staffers, were questioned about the bullying allegations. Cohen worked with the royals for over 20 years, previously serving as a press secretary, assistant, and private secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Back in 2018, Elizabeth reportedly requested Cohen assist with Harry and Meghan. However, Cohen’s time with them was short.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo by Rosa Woods – Pool/Getty Images.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo by Rosa Woods – Pool/Getty Images.

“I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18 — we couldn’t find a replacement for me and when we did, we took them on tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes, but they left as well while in Africa,” she said, insinuating no one wanted to take on the responsibilties Harry and Meghan allegedly demanded.

Now, the bullying claims came in 2021 from an author named Valentine Low, who was the one to break the story about these allegations, specifically discussing the bullying against former Kensington Palace communications secretary Jason Knauf, per Newsweek.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

Knauf has worked with Prince William and Kate Middleton in the past, and has been with the royals since 2015. The Times of London reported that Knauf made an official complaint about Meghan to the palace’s HR department, per Business Insider.

Low continued these claims in her book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, claiming that Cohen felt she was “treated harshly,” and allegedly said working for Harry and Meghan was “like working with teenagers.”

Harry and Meghan have denied these claims numerous times over the years, even calling it a “smear campaign.”

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Click here to see Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s complete relationship timeline.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry

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