Meghan Markle’s lawyer appeared on the BBC’s documentary “The Princes and the Press” and addressed the rumors which began to grow in 2018 of Meghan Markle bullying staff members and forcing several to quit.
Meghan Markle’s Lawyer Speaks Out on the Duchess’ Behalf
The BBC’s documentary provided an in-depth look into Prince William and Harry’s relationship with the media.
Jenny Afia, who is representing Meghan in her privacy and copyright infringement case against the Mail on Sunday publishers, appeared on the first part of the BBC documentary to defend the 40-year-old former actress against prior bullying accusations by several staff members.
She appeared on the documentary with Meghan’s permission to address claims that the Duchess is a hard boss to work for – something Meghan’s camp has always strongly refuted, calling the accusations baseless.
“This narrative that no one could work for the Duchess of Sussex, that she was too difficult or demanding a boss, and that everyone had to leave, is just not true,” Afia told host Amol Rajan.
In a trailer for the second part of the documentary – set to air November 29 – Afia said that “the overall allegation is that the Duchess of Sussex is guilty of bullying”, adding that she was “absolutely not.”
The documentary examined the relationship of Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William and Harry, with the media.
The palace said in a statement in reaction to the show: “A free, responsible and open press is of vital importance to a healthy democracy. However, too often it is overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources that are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility.”
In March, The Times in the U.K. reported that Meghan faced a bullying complaint made by one of her close advisers during her time as a working senior royal at Kensington Palace.
“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,” a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared in a public statement. “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.”
The complaint, which according to The Times, was made in October 2018 by the couple’s former communications secretary Jason Knauf, who claimed that Meghan bullied two personal assistants into quitting the household and undermined the confidence of a third staff member.
Some of Meghan’s friends spoke up against the bullying claims at the time, with one saying, “Meg has silently sat back and endured the lies and untruths.”
In February, a British judge granted summary judgment in Meghan’s behalf over the privacy violation of five articles published in February 2019 that reproduced parts of the handwritten letter she sent her father, Thomas Markle, following her 2018 wedding to Harry.
Meghan thanked her lawyer after the victory was announced, saying, “I particularly want to thank my husband, mom, and legal team, and especially Jenny Afia for her unrelenting support throughout this process.”
The case is currently being reviewed by London’s Court of Appeal.
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