A former royal aide who accused Meghan Markle of bullying has been recognised within the New Year Honours listing.
Jason Knauf, who labored for each the Sussexes and Prince William and Kate, is being rewarded for his service to the monarchy, The Sun stories.
He has been made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) after greater than seven years with the Firm.
Mr Knauf started his profession as joint communications secretary for the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Harry and Meghan earlier than changing into a senior adviser for simply Wills and Kate.
He was later made chief government of the Royal Foundation — the charitable arm of their official operations — earlier than stepping down on the finish of 2021.
When working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in October 2018, Mr Knauf raised considerations about the best way Meghan was treating junior workers.
He emailed William’s then-private secretary in an obvious try and power Buckingham Palace to guard its employees.
The Duchess’ authorized crew have strenuously denied the bullying allegations in opposition to her.
Mr Knauf was additionally concerned in Meghan’s copyright lawsuit in opposition to a newspaper writer after it printed extracts of a “personal and private” letter she wrote to her father Thomas.
Evidence given by the ex-PR man was relied upon throughout an attraction.
In the Sussexes’ latest Netflix documentary collection, Meghan claims Mr Knauf couldn’t have been concerned with the case “without the authority of his bosses”.
Former actress Meghan efficiently sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), writer of the Mail on Sunday and MailOn-line, over 5 articles that reproduced the notice in August 2018.
A High Court decide dominated in her favour final yr with no full trial, however ANL argued the case ought to go to a trial.
The writer’s legal professionals stated new proof from Mr Knauf advised Meghan wrote the letter with the understanding that it may very well be leaked.
The problem was dismissed by Court of Appeal judges.
During the ultimate episode of their six-part documentary, Harry stated there have been makes an attempt to attempt to “cover” the aide‘s association with William, with Mr Knauf being described as a “former aide of Meghan and Harry” as opposed to, at the time, working as chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation.
A written assertion from Mr Knauf’s authorized crew broadcast in the course of the programme stated, “These claims are entirely false.
“Mr Knauf was asked to provide evidence by both the Duchess of Sussex and Associated Newspapers.
“He was advised by counsel that evidence in his possession could be relevant and he then provided this directly to the court, staying neutral in the process.”
Before becoming a member of the royal family, the American-born former company affairs government labored for a spread of establishments, from the workplace of the New Zealand Prime Minister to HM Treasury and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
He turned the communications secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in 2015, earlier than main the press crew for Meghan and Harry and later changing into a senior adviser to William and Kate.
Mr Knauf led a evaluation of the Royal Foundation’s position and construction from March 2019, earlier than changing into its chief government in September of that yr.
During his time, Mr Knauf oversaw the launch of the Foundation’s Earthshot Prize — William’s formidable £50 million ($88 million) environmental prize, now an impartial charity, which recognises options, concepts and applied sciences that “repair the planet”.
His New Year Honours RVO gong is a present from the King, bestowed independently of Downing Street to individuals who have served the monarch or Royal Family in a private method.
“Working for the Prince and Princess of Wales was the honour of a lifetime,” he stated.
“Receiving this recognition means more to me than I can say. I’m incredibly grateful.”
This article initially appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Originally printed as Former aide who accused Meghan of bullying awarded by King Charles in New Year Honours
