Embroiled in a royal scandal. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former aide, Jason Knauf, discovered himself in the midst of the drama throughout the remaining episode of the Sussexes’ docuseries.
Quantity 2 of Harry & Meghan, which dropped on the streaming service Thursday, December 15, delved deeper into the couple’s allegations concerning the royal household. One such declare was that Prince William was in some way concerned within the Every day Mail’s attraction after the Fits alum, 41, gained a 2021 lawsuit towards the outlet, which had printed a private letter from Meghan to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
Knauf, who was then working for William, 40, “got here ahead to offer his witness assertion” within the attraction course of, Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia alleged within the collection — a transfer that deeply upset the “Archetypes” podcast host.
“Related Newspapers predictably appealed,” the legal professional recalled. “Once we had been nearly to go the courtroom of attraction, a senior member of [William’s] group [Jason Knauf] got here ahead to offer his witness assertion, which wasn’t required, and sadly there’s simply no manner he may have carried out that with out the authority of his bosses.”
Docuseries footage from the time confirmed Meghan and Harry, 38, reacting to the fallout — and blaming the Prince of Wales.
“Let me cope with it,” the Invictus Video games founder instructed his spouse concerning the scenario.
“It’s your brother,” Meghan responded. “I’m not gonna say something about your brother, however it’s so apparent.”
Harry, who agreed, went even additional with the declare. “It’s much more apparent that they’ll attempt to cowl it up,” he mentioned, seemingly in reference to The Agency’s try to deflect by calling Knauf “a former aide of Meghan and Harry” as a substitute of a present worker of William’s within the media.
“That’s why I’m now dwelling in a unique nation. As a result of all of the comms groups principally, like, attempt to outdo one another, however that is the contract,” he added. “The symbiotic relationship between the 2 establishments working the very best that they will.”
Knauf, for his half, submitted a press release to Netflix in response to the allegations.
“These claims are fully false. Mr. Knauf was requested to supply proof by each the Duchess of Sussex and Affiliate Newspapers,” the message within the docuseries learn. “He was suggested by counsel that proof in his possession might be related and he then supplied this on to the courtroom, staying impartial within the course of.”
Meghan’s authorized group, nonetheless, “disputes this declare,” the duchess’ attorneys mentioned in a press release in response. “Mr. Knauf was not requested to supply a witness assertion by the duchess or her group. Nor do her attorneys consider Mr. Knauf remained ‘impartial’ by submitting a witness assertion relied on by Related Newspapers while working for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”
Preserve scrolling to be taught extra about Knauf and his position in Meghan and Harry’s life:
Credit score: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Who Is Jason Knauf? 5 Issues to Know About Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Former Royal Aide
Embroiled in a royal scandal. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s former aide, Jason Knauf, discovered himself in the midst of the drama throughout the remaining episode of the Sussexes’ docuseries.
Quantity 2 of Harry & Meghan, which dropped on the streaming service Thursday, December 15, delved deeper into the couple’s allegations concerning the royal household. One such declare was that Prince William was in some way concerned within the Every day Mail’s attraction after the Fits alum, 41, gained a 2021 lawsuit towards the outlet, which had printed a private letter from Meghan to her estranged father, Thomas Markle.
Knauf, who was then working for William, 40, “got here ahead to offer his witness assertion” within the attraction course of, Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia alleged within the collection — a transfer that deeply upset the “Archetypes” podcast host.
“Related Newspapers predictably appealed,” the legal professional recalled. “Once we had been nearly to go the courtroom of attraction, a senior member of [William’s] group [Jason Knauf] got here ahead to offer his witness assertion, which wasn’t required, and sadly there’s simply no manner he may have carried out that with out the authority of his bosses.”
Docuseries footage from the time confirmed Meghan and Harry, 38, reacting to the fallout — and blaming the Prince of Wales.
“Let me cope with it,” the Invictus Video games founder instructed his spouse concerning the scenario.
“It’s your brother,” Meghan responded. “I’m not gonna say something about your brother, however it’s so apparent.”
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Harry, who agreed, went even additional with the declare. “It’s much more apparent that they’ll attempt to cowl it up,” he mentioned, seemingly in reference to The Agency’s try to deflect by calling Knauf “a former aide of Meghan and Harry” as a substitute of a present worker of William’s within the media.
“That’s why I’m now dwelling in a unique nation. As a result of all of the comms groups principally, like, attempt to outdo one another, however that is the contract,” he added. “The symbiotic relationship between the 2 establishments working the very best that they will.”
Knauf, for his half, submitted a press release to Netflix in response to the allegations.
“These claims are fully false. Mr. Knauf was requested to supply proof by each the Duchess of Sussex and Affiliate Newspapers,” the message within the docuseries learn. “He was suggested by counsel that proof in his possession might be related and he then supplied this on to the courtroom, staying impartial within the course of.”
Meghan’s authorized group, nonetheless, “disputes this declare,” the duchess’ attorneys mentioned in a press release in response. “Mr. Knauf was not requested to supply a witness assertion by the duchess or her group. Nor do her attorneys consider Mr. Knauf remained ‘impartial’ by submitting a witness assertion relied on by Related Newspapers while working for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”
Preserve scrolling to be taught extra about Knauf and his position in Meghan and Harry’s life:
Credit score: Mark Massive/ANL/Shutterstock
What Is Knauf’s Job?
Per his LinkedIn profile, the Texas native was the communications secretary for each the Sussexes and the Cambridges from February 2015 to March 2019. For the subsequent seven months, he served as a senior adviser to William and Kate earlier than changing into the CEO of The Royal Basis of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — a place he held from September 2019 to January 2022.
Whereas Knauf now not seems to be employed by the royal household, he does serve on the board of the Earthshot Prize, the environmental advocacy group cofounded by William.
Credit score: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
What Was His Relationship With Meghan and Harry?
The Mission Overstory founder was “so blissful that (Prince) Harry has discovered somebody. Meghan could be very sensible and sort and as is Harry,” his mom, Joanne Knauf, instructed Texas outlet The Courier of Montgomery County in Might 2018, proper earlier than the Sussexes exchanged vows. “There are some 60,000 media which have descended on the small non-public city of Windsor. I can not think about the tiny streets filled with all of those individuals.”
The Virginia resident added that her son was additionally concerned in a number of the planning himself. “On the morning exhibits, you will notice levels erected throughout the citadel — loads of it has been beneath Jason’s path,” she shared on the time.
Credit score: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
What Is Knauf’s Background?
Jason is American and was born and raised in Texas till he was 5 years outdated, when he moved to Virginia together with his mom. The previous royal worker later went to school in New Zealand earlier than transferring to the U.Okay. when working for The Agency.
Credit score: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
What Did Meghan and Harry Say About Him?
The Archewell cofounders had been upset when discovering out their former worker’s involvement within the attraction within the 2021 Every day Mail case.
“Once we had been nearly to go the courtroom of attraction, a senior member of [William’s] group [Jason Knauf] got here ahead to offer his witness assertion, which wasn’t required, and sadly there’s simply no manner he may have carried out that with out the authority of his bosses,” Meghan’s lawyer alleged within the Netflix particular. “That’s why I’m now dwelling in a unique nation. As a result of all of the comms groups principally, like, attempt to outdo one another, however that is the contract,” Harry mentioned within the episode. “The symbiotic relationship between the 2 establishments working the very best that they will.”
Credit score: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
How Did Knauf Reply to the Sussexes’ Allegations?
“These claims are fully false. Mr. Knauf was requested to supply proof by each the Duchess of Sussex and Affiliate Newspapers,” learn the onscreen message from Jason’s camp. “He was suggested by counsel that proof in his possession might be related and he then supplied this on to the courtroom, staying impartial within the course of.”
Nonetheless, Meghan’s group disputed the declare, writing, “Mr. Knauf was not requested to supply a witness assertion by the duchess or her group. Nor do her attorneys consider Mr. Knauf remained ‘impartial’ by submitting a witness assertion relied on by Related Newspapers while working for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”
