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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Meghan says Buckingham Palace ‘perpetuating falsehoods’

By AFP
March 06, 2021

Meghan Markle says Buckingham Palace is "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and her husband Prince Harry, according to part of an interview she has done with Oprah Winfrey.

The explosive claim is the latest salvo in an increasingly heated public relations battle between the British royal family and the US-based couple. The clip, released on Wednesday, came hours after Buckingham Palace said it was investigating claims Markle had bullied household staff in the months after her fairytale wedding to the prince.

"I don’t know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there’s an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us," Markle told Winfrey. "The Firm" is a sometimes-derisive name for the British royal family.

Harry and Meghan announced last year they were stepping back from royal duties, in what became an increasingly acrimonious split from the family. Their permanent removal from duties was confirmed earlier this year, with the royal household and the couple jockeying to control the narrative of the separation -- and public sympathies.

The interview with Winfrey -- one of US television’s most bankable names -- is due to air in the US on Sunday, and in Britain on Monday. In a clip released by US broadcaster CBS earlier this week Harry -- who has frequently bemoaned press intrusion -- said he was worried about "history repeating itself", in an apparent reference to the death of his mother.

On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace said it was looking into newspaper reports of bullying by Markle against members of household staff. "We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex... our HR team will look into the circumstances," it said. The Times said the allegations dated back to October 2018, a few months after the couple’s spectacular wedding.

"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," said the palace. "The Royal Household... does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace."

Markle earlier released a statement directly addressing the report. "The duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself," her spokesman said.

"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." The couple said The Times was being used to "peddle a wholly false narrative" ahead of their television interview.