Samantha Cohen confirms that she was once interviewed regarding the damning accusations that the Duchess of Sussex bullied her staff while still living at Kensington Palace.
- Apr 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - A former royal aide has given details about the bullying allegations leveled against Meghan Markle. In a new interview, Samantha Cohen confirmed that she was once interviewed regarding the damning accusations.
"I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18," Samantha revealed to the Herald Sun, via Page Six. "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."
Samantha, who was a member of the royal staff for nearly 20 years, further shared that she was one of 10 staff members questioned about the claims. The 54-year-old, however, refused to elaborate.
The allegations that Meghan bullied her staff emerged before her and Prince Harry's explosive sit-down with Oprah Winfrey back in 2021. At the time, The Times of London reported that the wife of Prince Harry occasionally made her staff members cry during her time at Kensington Palace and prompted two senior members of the palace staff to quit their jobs.
Jason Knauf, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's communications assistant at the time, allegedly reported the behavior to Prince William's then-private secretary, Simon Case, in October 2018. "I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X* was totally unacceptable," the HR complaint read.
"The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights," Knauf reportedly further noted. "She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior towards Y. I remain concerned that nothing will be done."
As the Palace launched an investigation into the matter, the Sussexes vehemently denied the claims. "Let's just call this what it is-a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet," read their statement.
