Sources also said they approached The Times because they felt the version of the duchess that had emerged publicly was only partially true and that they were concerned about how bullying issues had been handled. The report said sources believed the public “should have information about their side of the story” ahead of the couple’s long-awaited interview with Oprah Winfrey to air on Sunday, their first appearance since the release of London to North America last year.
Buckingham Palace said it was “very concerned” about the allegations outlined in the report.
“Accordingly, our human resources team will examine the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the house, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned,” he said. say in his statement. .
“The Royal House has had a policy of dignity at work for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate harassment or harassment in the workplace.”
Prince Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they were retreating as working members of the royal family and moved to North America shortly thereafter. Buckingham Palace confirmed last month that the couple had agreed with Queen Elizabeth II, Harry’s grandmother, that they would not return as royal workers.
The move sparked a conversation between the couple – who are settling in California and expecting their second child – and the British royal family.
A Sussex spokesman dismissed the Times report as “a calculated defamation campaign” ahead of the couple’s interview with Winfrey.
“We call this as it is: a calculated defamation campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see that this defamatory portrait of the Duchess of Sussex gives credibility to a media outlet,” the spokesman said.
“The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, especially as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma. She is determined to continue her work. building compassion around the world and I will continue to strive to lead by example to do what is right and do what is right. “
The spokesman said the claims in the Times report were “defamatory” and that a legal letter of rebuttal had been sent to the media.
The Times declined to comment when it was approached by CNN.
Harry touched on real life pressures during a conversation with his British James Corden for his “Late Late Show” last month.
“It was a really difficult environment,” the Duke said. “We all know what the British press can be like … and it was destroying my mental health. It was telling me, ‘This is toxic,’ so I did what any husband and any father would do: I need to get my family out of here.” .
Harry and Meghan have been embroiled in a long war of words and lawsuits with much of the tabloid media, battling multiple legal cases against publications and photo agencies that had printed details of their private lives.
Last month, Meghan won a privacy claim against Mail editors on Sunday after publishing a letter she sent to her father and hurling a sharp rebuke at “dehumanizing” media organizations following the verdict, saying the “damage they have done and continue to do deep runs.”