Meghan Markle 'blindsided' top aide with secret cameo, book claims

Meghan Markle allegedly sidelined a senior aide in a very public way during her time as a working royal, according to Courtiers by Valentine Low. 

The book claims the Duchess of Sussex “deliberately undermined” then-communications chief Jason Knauf, with tensions peaking in December 2018 when Meghan made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards to present Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller with Designer of the Year.

Per Low, neither the press nor Knauf knew Meghan would attend until she stepped on stage, despite the event being planned. 

The biography adds that Meghan also refused to let private secretaries Sam Cohen and Amy Pickerill loop Knauf in, calling it a striking sign of how far trust had broken down.

Shortly after, Knauf moved to a new role advising Prince William and Princess Kate. An internal email he wrote, later leaked after the Sussexes stepped back in 2020, expressed concern about alleged treatment of staff. 

Today, Knauf serves as CEO of William’s Earthshot Prize and, in a recent Australian documentary, stressed the family’s ups and downs are best handled privately.

Balancing the claims, former Archewell Audio producer Jane Marie told Vanity Fair Meghan was “a lovely, genuine person,” while other staffers have said she often sent thoughtful gifts.

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