Prince William's public dig at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shows he ‘doesn't care' what they think: experts
Prince William is sending out an undeniable message to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Jason Knauf, the former royal aide who accused the Duchess of Sussex of bullying, was recently named CEO of The Earthshot Prize, William's key environmental organization.
"Prince William's decision to make Jason Knauf, the former private secretary of the Sussexes, the CEO of his most prestigious project will infuriate Harry and Meghan," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital. "It is impossible to avoid feeling that this is precisely what William intended."
King Charles Won't Hand Throne To Prince William As Monarchy Shake-up Could Spark 'Crisis': Experts
"As far as the Sussexes are concerned, [Knauf] undoubtedly has pariah status," Fitzwilliams claimed. "[But] William is clearly showing he doesn't care about what his brother thinks, much less Meghan.
"… The royal rift seems permanent," he added.
Read On The Fox News App
A statement posted on April 17 revealed that the organization's current CEO, Hannah Jones, will depart from the post this summer after four years. Knauf immediately joined Earthshot and will work with his predecessor in the coming months.
"As the first CEO, Hannah has built The Prize into a world-class organization with an incredible team delivering an annual Prize, powering a platform for speeding solutions to scale, and catalyzing a movement to encourage young people, spark imaginations and infuse urgent optimism across the world," said William, 42, in a statement.
"As we look ahead to the future of The Prize and the urgent work needed to scale more inspiring solutions to the world's greatest challenges, I look forward to working with Jason to chart the course for the next five years of the Earthshot Prize and beyond," he added.
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital this announcement is significant.
"It [represents] Jason's stalwart support of the family during the bullying scandal," she claimed. "This is a clear signal as to the legitimacy of all the bullying reports, damning to Meghan Markle."
Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter
"While every royal has had issues regarding those they can trust, Prince William, having been betrayed by his brother, is wary and has deeper trust issues," Fordwich claimed. "Jason remains one of his closest confidantes, a trusted advisor and a member of his inner circle due to his discretion during difficult times."
In February, Knauf gave a rare, televised interview shortly before the Duchess of Sussex launched her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan."
When asked by "60 Minutes Australia" about the sudden public attention he received after the bullying allegations went public, Knauf said, "I think it's tough, but it's probably quite good. You know, as someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye, you probably have to take your own medicine sometimes."
"You can't choose just to take the fun stuff in any job, and that applies to the prince and princess as well as everyone else working for them," he said. "So, I wouldn't change anything."
At the time, Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace and Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment about Knauf's interview.
For seven years, Knauf, an American, worked at "the highest levels of the royal family," The Times UK reported. During his time at the palace, Knauf was in charge of communications for Meghan and Prince Harry, as well as William and Kate Middleton.
Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News
The outlet noted that in 2016, Knauf was in charge of protecting Meghan from the relentless British tabloids once her romance with Harry came to light. Knauf described the couple's 2018 wedding as an "amazing, magical experience."
However, the outlet noted that five months after the royal wedding, Knauf wrote an incendiary email accusing the former American actress of bullying palace staff.
Knauf wrote to Simon Case, his boss and William's private secretary, that there were "some very serious problems" with Meghan's behavior.
In the emails, Knauf claimed that Meghan bullied two palace aides out of the household "in the past year." There were also allegations that Megan "undermined the confidence" of a third staff member.
"The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights," the outlet quoted him as writing. "She is bullying X and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior."
The outlet reported that Knauf felt "it seemed possible" that Meghan could turn on him next. It shared that Knauf resigned a month later but was promptly rehired to work for William and Kate as a special adviser and chief executive of their Royal Foundation. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their offices split before Meghan and Harry made their royal exit.
WATCH: KATE MIDDLETON, PRINCE WILLIAM 'PLANNING THEIR LEGACY AMID 'ENDGAME'
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California. They cited the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media, as well as lack of support from the palace, for their royal exit.
In 2021, just days before Meghan and Harry's televised interview with Oprah Winfrey aired, Valentine Low broke the story of the bullying allegations.
Meghan's team strongly refuted the claims.
"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 said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital at the time.
"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."
A spokesperson for the Sussexes also told The Times, "Let's just call this what it is – a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation."
The Times reported that Knauf resigned from his job working for William and Kate in 2021. At the time, his husband had accepted a diplomatic post abroad. Still, King Charles gave him a rare honor that's bestowed only for "exceptional service to the monarchy."
Before Knauf was appointed CEO of Earthshot, he was on the board of trustees.
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that "now more than ever," William "values and surrounds himself with professional and trustworthy people."
"Trust is the integral glue in William's life," Chard explained. "… Prince Harry has repeatedly voiced grievances and leaked information about his family to the press, leading to a breakdown of their relationship and all trust.
"Jason Knauf has proved himself as a trustworthy, professional, valuable team player and leader. He excelled working for the Prince and Princess of Wales… Jason's care, empathy and work ethic resonated with thankful William. It is hardly surprising that he has now been appointed CEO of The Earthshot Prize."
In 2022, Buckingham Palace announced it had completed a review into the handling of the bullying allegations. However, they declined to share the results of the investigation.
Chard believes that Knauf's latest role "also endorses that he was correct with the bullying allegations."
"… Harry and Meghan may be looking over their shoulders, wondering what new information could be unearthed referencing the bullying claims," she said. "One thing is for sure, Prince William, surprised that blood isn't always thicker than water, champions trustworthy, supportive people."
Prince Harry's 'Worst Fears' Realized In Uk Security Battle
Low previously told Fox News Digital in 2023 that he stood by his reporting.
"The important thing is we all know they're quite litigious," he said, referring to the Sussexes. "But despite getting several strongly worded letters from their lawyers before we published — after we published, we didn't hear a word from them. So that speaks volumes, too."
Low's book "Courtiers" also alleged that "relations between the couple and some of their senior staff became so fractious that William's private secretary had to step in to help keep the peace." Low also claimed that some former staff still had difficulty discussing their experiences. Some would even refer to themselves as members of "The Sussex Survivors' Club."
WATCH: MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY ACTED LIKE A COUPLE OF TEENAGERS, PALACE SOURCES ALLEGE IN EXPLOSIVE NEW BOOK
When Low's book was published in 2023, reps for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn't immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously told Fox News Digital they generally do not comment "on such books."
The Times noted that Knauf remains close to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
"If anyone knows where the Megxit bodies are buried, it's a fully paid-up member of the Sussex Survivors Club: Jason Knauf," the outlet added.Original article source: Prince William's public dig at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shows he 'doesn't care' what they think: experts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Her Dad Died Before Graduation. So Her Best Friend's Dad Gave Her a Beautiful Surprise (Exclusive)
On a day meant for celebration, Marlice Valentin walked the graduation stage carrying a quiet ache, as her late father wasn't there to see it Her best friend's dad, William, had been quietly listening and knew just how heavy that absence would feel When he handed her a custom sash featuring one of her last photos with her father, the moment became a viral reminder that love sometimes comes from unexpected placesOn a day meant for celebration, a simple act of kindness transformed a bittersweet graduation into a viral moment of healing and hope. When Marlice Valentin received a gift from her best friend's father, William Edwards, she never imagined it would touch the hearts of millions. But it did when William stepped in with a gesture that neither Marlice or her best friend Tanaya saw coming: a sash adorned with a cherished photo of Marlice and her father, capturing one of their final moments together. The presentation was caught on video, but the emotions behind it ran far deeper. 'That was one of the last pictures we ever took,' Marlice shares with PEOPLE. 'It's always been one of my favorites.' The viral TikTok, captioned "bestie so hard that her dad got me a personalized sash of my dad who passed away who couldn't be here with me on my special day," struck a chord online. But for Marlice and Tanaya, the memory it captured was deeply personal. 'I first met Tanaya back in school in our undergrad from a common friend,' Marlice notes. 'We just kind of said, 'Oh, you want to be roommates? Let's move in together.' ' Over time, their friendship only grew stronger. 'Marlice was always the one who stayed,' Tanaya shares. 'So I stayed close to her too.' Graduation marked Marlice's first major milestone without either of her parents present. 'It made me really emotional. Not everyone knows,' she says. 'My mom couldn't come for personal reasons, and I didn't have my dad there.' William noticed. His daughter Tanaya had shared bits and pieces of Marlice's story over time. 'I'd be in another room listening to her friend talk,' William tells PEOPLE. 'And I know certain things about her friends. So after I made a sash for my daughter, I thought — I should make one for her friend, too.' He says the gesture came from a simple place. 'Just for her to have that around her and her father not here … it was for encouragement,' William explains. 'I wanted to encourage my daughter, and to encourage Marlice was a plus.' When he presented the sash, it took Marlice by surprise. 'It made me feel seen. Like, someone thought of me,' she says. 'Also, that photo on the sash was one of my favorite pictures ever. It really hit my heart.' For Tanaya, watching the moment unfold was emotional. 'I broke down a little bit,' she shares. 'I knew how much it meant to her to have that, especially with her mom not being there.' William had the idea after being prompted by ads he saw online. 'The Internet is funny — you think about something, and it starts popping up,' he says. 'So I found a nice picture of my daughter and her mother, and one of Marlice and her father, and added a few words. But honestly, the pictures say it all.' Their friendship was shaped by a quiet understanding: both had felt the ache of losing a parent. That common ground became a thread through the highs and lows of college life. Marlice didn't learn about Tanaya's loss until well into their friendship. 'It kind of came out one day, and I remember thinking — wow,' she shares. What stayed with her was the symmetry in their stories. 'She has her dad, I have my mom,' Marlice says. 'It's like we're different, but still going through the same kind of loss.' Wearing the sash reminded Marlice of how far she'd come — and who she carries with her. 'It hit home. I feel like I miss him more than I did when I was younger,' she says. 'Now I'm doing these big things — graduating, becoming an adult — and he's not here.' Posting the video helped her realize she wasn't alone. 'I'm not the only one who lost someone,' she says. 'It made me feel understood.' She also found family in the Edwards household. 'Tanaya's dad is one of the greatest dads I've ever met,' Marlice shares. 'Just the fact that he saw me as a girl who didn't have her dad, and thought about what I was probably going through — it made me feel so loved.' The video's viral success surprised both girls. 'I didn't expect it to blow up,' Marlice says. 'At first, we had 700 likes. I went to sleep and woke up at 70,000. Now we're over 1 million.' The comments poured in with people relating to their story, praising their friendship and sharing their own losses. 'It showed me the good side of social media,' Marlice says. 'It brought people together.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Tanaya beams with pride when she thinks about her dad's gesture. 'I feel like the luckiest girl ever to have someone like him in my life,' she says. 'He did it out of love — not for the views, just because he cared.' Both young women are now preparing for the next chapter, with Marlice pursuing her master's in mental health counseling, and Tanaya considering a future in social work or probation. But their bond remains unchanged. 'From the first time I invited her to my home — not just our school apartment, but my real home — she was family,' Marlice says. 'She's in the house already. Everybody knows her. We're locked in.' William hopes they carry that love with them as they step into adulthood. 'You girls went through a lot,' he tells them. 'But you made it through. You already know what it is to struggle and now, you know how to overcome it.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
King Charles to Sit Out Major Royal Event in Stunning Break From Tradition
King Charles to Sit Out Major Royal Event in Stunning Break From Tradition originally appeared on Parade. will reportedly sit out a major royal event—the 2025 Trooping the Colour parade—in a stunning break from tradition amid his cancer battle. On Saturday, June 14, the annual event celebrating the birthday of the British sovereign will be held. Part of the day steeped in tradition includes a parade, for which the reigning monarch rides on horseback. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 However, King Charles, 76, will not ride on a horse for the 2025 Trooping the Colour, The Times reported. The eldest child of the late will instead ride in a horse-drawn carriage during the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back. King Charles brought back the riding-on-horseback tradition for the 2023 Trooping the Colour parade, his first as monarch after Queen Elizabeth died at 96 in September 2022. Before then, Queen Elizabeth last rode on horseback for the procession in 1986. The royal also rode in a carriage with his wife, , 77, in 2024, four months after announcing his cancer diagnosis. According to The Times, King Charles is not expected to ride on horseback again at Trooping the Colour. Related: Meanwhile, , 40, and , 43, will sit out the 2025 Trooping the Colour completely amid an ongoing rift between them and the rest of the royal family after the Sussexes relocated to the U.S. in 2020. Luckily for royal fans, , 42, , 43, and their three children—Prince George, 11, , 10, and , 7—are expected to participate in the Trooping the Colour on June 14. We can't wait to see photos! Next: King Charles to Sit Out Major Royal Event in Stunning Break From Tradition first appeared on Parade on Jun 10, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
World War Two secret agents' house put up for sale
A Highland house where "troublesome" secret agents were kept busy during World War Two has been put up for sale. Inverlair Lodge was taken over in 1941 by the Special Operations Executive (SOE), an army of saboteurs and guerrilla fighters formed to fight behind enemy lines. Inverlair's residents were foreign nationals who had been unable to perform their duties but needed to be kept safe because of the dangerous secrets they knew about the Allied war effort. Supervised by British soldiers, the agents were kept occupied with a range of tasks including mending boots and salvaging scrap metal from the surrounding countryside. Estate agents Galbraith has put the 18th Century property on the market for offers over £1.3m. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Six-bedroom Inverlair Lodge, near Tulloch, about 20 miles (32km) from Fort William, was chosen because of its remote location. During WW2 it was known as No. 6 Special Workshop School. In interviews with the Imperial War Museum, Dundee-born Alfred Fyffe told how he was put in charge of Inverlair for 30 months. He said the residents, who included Italians and Dutch, were supervised but not kept under armed guard and were even allowed to make trips into Fort William. Mr Fyffe described the lodge as an "experiment" with agents of different nationalities living under one roof, and working on tasks designed to distract them from the secrets they knew. One of their jobs was salvaging metal, including railway track, abandoned by British Aluminium which operated a smelter in Fort William. Inverlair Lodge and similar SOE properties are said to have inspired the plot to 1960s TV drama The Prisoner, which starred Patrick McGoohan. War-time prime minister Winston Churchill enthusiastically supported the formation of SOE, and ordered its agents to "set Europe ablaze". Its history was an inspiration for film director Guy Ritchie's 2024 action-comedy The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. SOE was disbanded after the war and Inverlair Lodge was vacated and fell into disrepair. It was restored in the 1970s. Lochaber was a key training area for Allied forces during WW2. Achnacarry Castle, the ancestral home of the chiefs of Clan Cameron and about 15 miles (24km) north east of Fort William, was used as commando training base. The elite troops were from Britain and the US as well as France, the Netherlands, Norway, former Czechoslovakia, Poland and Belgium.
