Jason Knauf, the former royal advisor, recently addressed his experiences working closely with the Royal Family during an interview with '60 Minutes Australia'. During the revelations, Knauf spoke openly about his past accusations against Meghan Markle, particularly the bullying allegations leveled against her by former staff members, and also shared insights on Prince William’s recent challenges amid the health struggles of both his wife and father.
Knauf, who once worked closely with Prince Harry and Markle, expressed no regrets about his claims from 2018. "I wouldn’t change anything," he stated, reflecting on the public scrutiny and attention he has faced since the allegations surfaced. He noted, "It’s tough, but it’s probably quite good," when discussing the impact of the allegations on his personal life.
Recalling his time during the planning of Harry and Markle's fairytale wedding, Knauf described it as a "magical experience" and conveyed his best wishes for their family. Despite the warmth of those memories, his testimony also highlighted darker times, as he had previously filed complaints against Markle, fearing for the wellbeing of palace staff. The allegations indicated Markle may have created a toxic working environment, with staff members reportedly brought to tears and leaving the household under distressing circumstances.
Markle, through representatives, has denied these allegations, labeling them as part of "a calculated smear campaign." Further amplifying this intricacy, another former staff member alleged enduring emotional cruelty and manipulation rather than outright bullying. Knauf's comments during the interview evoked larger discussions about accountability, stating, "You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff, and this applies to the prince and princess, as well as everyone else working for them." His insights present the complex duality of public service within the royal household.
On another front, Knauf revealed the devastating impact of health problems on Prince William, stating, "It was awful, absolutely awful. It's the lowest I've ever seen him." Reflecting on the year when both his wife, Kate Middleton, and father, King Charles III, faced cancer treatments, Knauf suggested it was among the hardest moments of their lives. Indeed, Prince William himself has expressed the gravitas of his family's struggles, mentioning, "It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year of my life" as he copes with the realities of illness and public life.
The surprise diagnoses, which were made public only after significant media speculation, drew wild conspiracy theories online. Since Kate's diagnosis last March, conversations within royal circles became fraught, not least because the couple was concerned about how to explain the situation to their children. Knauf underscored the sensitivity of the matter, saying, "The problem was all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off...but they didn't want to say yet" about Kate's health status, reflecting the heightened vulnerability of the royal family during turbulent times.
Compounding these personal issues, Knauf previously noted the familial strains between Prince William and Prince Harry, detailing how the public nature of their fallout has weighed heavily on both families. He said, "It's been hard and sad for all of us who know both of them," emphasizing the emotional cost of royal dynamics played out under the public eye.
Reflecting on his tenure as the chief executive of the Royal Foundation, which included significant projects such as the Earthshot Prize, Knauf's care for his colleagues and the royals themselves is evident. His dedication to addressing the climate crisis and inspirational work continues, underlying his commitment to ethical public service.
Throughout his comments, it’s clear Knauf advocates for integrity and accountability, not just personally, but for those he served alongside. "What we did was justice. Justice for 140 police officers wounded January 6th, 2021…The evidence was overwhelming," he remarked, linking broader issues of justice and righteousness to his advocacy and experience of working with the royals.
With reflections on both setbacks and special moments, the revelations from Jason Knauf demonstrate the complex interplay of personal trials, public scrutiny, and the heavy mantle of duty carried by the members of the royal family and those around them. The public awaits to see how this narrative will evolve, especially as it intertwines with the well-being and reputations of those involved.