Why have the bullying allegations against Meghan Markle come out now?

Two-hour special between Sussexes and Oprah set to air in US on Sunday 7 March

(AFP via Getty Images)

This week, reports claimed that a former member of the Duchess of Sussex’s staff had accused her of bullying in October 2018.

The Times reported that Meghan’s former press secretary, Jason Knauf, made a complaint against her related to two personal assistants and a third member of staff whose confidence she is alleged to have undermined.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes has responded to the claims, saying that Meghan has been the victim of “a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation”.

They said: “We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet. It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.”

The spokesperson added that Meghan was “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”.

The accusations date back to 2018, leading some to question why they have only just been reported now.

The Times claims that it had been approached directly by “by sources who stated that they wanted to give their account of the turmoil within the royal household from Meghan’s arrival as Harry’s girlfriend in 2017 to the couple’s decision to stand down as working royals last year”.

The report comes just days before a landmark interview between the Sussexes and Oprah Winfrey is due to air in the US.

The interview will mark the couple’s first joint televised appearance since stepping back from the royal family.

CBS, which will air the interview in America (in the UK it will be broadcast at 8pm on ITV the following Monday) previously said the duchess will be interviewed about a range of subjects, including “stepping into life as a royal, marriage, motherhood” and “how she is handling life under intense public pressure”.

However, royal experts are reportedly urging the Sussexes to postpone their interview with Winfrey in light of Prince Philip’s health issues.

The 99-year-old royal was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital on February 17, with the palace later confirming that he was being treated for an infection.

The Duke of Edinburgh was then also moved from one London hospital to another on Monday for the treatment of an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Richard Fitzwilliams, the former editor of The International Who’s Who, has suggested that it would be more appropriate if the couple moved their upcoming interview while Prince Harry’s grandfather remains in ill health.

“When you are dealing with what might happen, you never know, but I think it is not appropriate and, if it could possibly be postponed, I think it would be a very appropriate gesture at the moment,” he told The Independent.

Mr Fitzwilliams did, however, acknowledge that it may be difficult to postpone the interview given how much time and money must have already gone into its planning.

“The advertising, the hype, it is a huge deal, this is vast,” he said. “Harry and Meghan are friends with Oprah, but Harry is devoted to his grandfather.

He went on to speculate: “If Harry speaks to Oprah, who knows what she might be able to arrange.” And said that he did not think that now was an appropriate time to air the interview.