Samantha Cohen, a former senior royal aide, recently confirmed her participation in internal interviews regarding alleged bullying by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Cohen, who served the royal family for nearly 20 years, provided insights into the unrest within Buckingham Palace during her time with the Sussexes.
As reported by Australian media, Cohen took part in the palace’s internal investigation into allegations of bullying by Meghan Markle. This revelation has brought her back into the public eye.
Cohen served as press secretary to the late Queen for 17 years before becoming her assistant and private secretary. She later joined the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as an aide, eventually leaving royal duties in 2019.
While working with the Duchess of Sussex, Cohen was responsible for aiding Meghan in adjusting to royal life. However, her tenure was marked by challenges. Cohen extended her initial six-month term to 18 months due to issues in finding a suitable replacement, which further highlights the stress within the royal staff. In Valentine Low’s 2022 book, “Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown,” it is suggested that Cohen was subjected to harsh treatment and shouting from Harry and Meghan.
The bullying inquiry was initiated after Jason Knauf, the former communications secretary for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, claimed that Meghan had fostered a hostile workplace. Knauf alleged that Meghan’s behavior resulted in high staff turnover and that she had bullied two personal assistants, leading to their resignation, and targeted other female staff, which contributed to a tense environment at Kensington Palace.
According to royal expert Tom Bower, this may just be the start of a larger narrative. “Regrettably, there has been no clear resolution to the bullying complaints,” he stated to local media.
The investigation into these allegations remains confidential, a situation that poses challenges for both the accusers and the accused. The decision to keep the results private has led to public speculation and dissatisfaction, especially among those who risked their reputations to partake in the investigation.
As part of the “Sussex Survivor’s Club“, other former royal aides have shared their experiences:
• Forty-one year old Melissa Toubati, who was once Meghan’s personal assistant, left after six months to work for the wealthy Livingstone family. Toubati has also worked for celebrities like Madonna and Robbie Williams.
• Samantha Carruthers, former head of HR for Prince Charles and Prince William, now holds the position of deputy chair of the board for children’s charity Winston’s Wish.
• Simon Case, private secretary to Prince William, was aware of the bullying allegations against Meghan in 2018.
Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as baseless and an attack on Meghan’s character. Despite their denials and the submission of a detailed report to the palace’s human resources, the controversy continues, with the final investigative report remaining confidential to protect those involved.
The saga of the bullying allegations against Meghan Markle is not yet over. As potential new developments loom, the royal family is left to navigate the intricacies of interpersonal relationships under the intense scrutiny of the public eye.
