Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Did Nothing Right With Staff, Every Engagement Ended In ‘Massive Inquest’: Royal Expert
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal engagements reportedly ended in "huge inquests," according to a royal expert.
Richard Palmer, a royal correspondent with 20 years of experience, weighed in on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relationship with their staff after the bullying allegations resurfaced. According to him, he spoke with some insiders and learned that the royal couple's behavior caused a falling-out with the royal staff and aides.
"There were staff in the royal household complaining about the way Harry and Meghan were treating them," Palmer told The Sun. "I've certainly spoken to people who have said that nothing they did for them was ever right -- and there was always a massive inquest after every royal engagement that they did."
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"It would be: 'Why did we do this? Why did you say that?' I think it was really difficult for a lot of people."
Palmer also claimed that their last communication secretary, Sara Latham, did not have a smooth sailing experience working with the Sussexes. Latham, who was born in the United States and formerly worked with Hilary Clinton, was hired to work for Prince Harry and Markle when they were still working royals. However, shortly after she was hired, she had to deal with the PR storm as Markle was accused of bullying at the time.
"Sara was in a really difficult situation. She was caught between a rock and a hard place," Palmer explained. "She was trying to be loyal to the people who employed her -- Harry and Meghan -- and she was getting pelter from the press because of the way they were behaving."
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Sources told The Times that the former actress drove two personal assistants out of the households. She also allegedly undermined the confidence of a third one. Additionally, Markle allegedly left aides in tears and humiliated by her "difficult demands."
The Palace addressed the report and expressed concern at the bullying claims against Prince Harry's wife.
"We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the Palace said at the time, per Harper's Bazaar.
"Accordingly, our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. 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 learned. 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."
Samantha Cohen, who served as Markle's private secretary in 2021, was among the 10 staffers questioned when Buckingham Palace investigated the bullying allegations. According to her, she was supposed to stay for six months, but her tenure was extended for nearly two years because they couldn't find a replacement.
"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 (quit) as well while in Africa," Cohen told the Herald Sun.
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