00:00 Meghan Markle believed that the royal family were trying to discredit her over bullying
00:14 accusations, a source has claimed.
00:21 The Duchess of Sussex was accused of "humiliating" personal assistants and staff, as well as
00:26 driving two out of the palace which she denies.
00:31 Meghan, 40, allegedly made staff cry and several official complaints were made regarding her
00:38 behavior.
00:44 Buckingham Palace launched a probe into the complaints, but the final report could be
00:48 delayed until 2022.
00:54 An independent law firm was expected to reveal the finer details in the annual Sovereign
00:58 Grant report, but royal sources have confirmed it is still "ongoing".
01:07 At the time a spokesman for the Duchess said that she was "saddened by this latest attack
01:11 on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself
01:16 and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma."
01:24 But a new chapter in explosive book Finding Freedom claims that Meghan was "worried"
01:28 about the allegations, the independent reports.
01:35 Authors Carolyn Durand and Omid Skabi, who is a friend of Meghan's, have spoken to a
01:40 source close to the couple.
01:45 The pal said, "Though the Duchess was used to defamatory reports, this front-page story
01:50 was more worrying.
01:55 It felt like certain individuals at the palace were doing their very best to undermine and
01:59 discredit anything they worried the couple may or may not say during the interview."
02:08 Difficult demands The authors also claim that the front-page allegations gave the Sussexes
02:12 more confidence that leaving the royals was the right thing to do.
02:20 The palace launched the investigation after the Duchess of Sussex was accused of bullying
02:24 two senior staff members.
02:30 Jason Knauf, who worked in comms for both the Cambridges and the Sussexes, submitted
02:34 an official email in October 2018.
02:41 Meghan allegedly snapped "It's not my job to coddle people" after aides were said to
02:45 be left in tears and humiliated by her difficult demands.
02:52 Mr Knauf claimed Meghan's alleged treatment of staff was "totally unacceptable," adding
02:57 that she seems intent on always having someone in her sights.
03:04 One courtier claimed that the Duchess governed by fear while it was also reported there was
03:08 a "febrile atmosphere."
03:14 Create a Spectacle The updated version of Finding Freedom also
03:17 explores Harry and Meghan's heartbreak over Philip's death aged 99.
03:26 Publisher HarperCollins said the latest edition will also share behind-the-scenes details
03:30 of their bombshell Oprah interview as well as their move to California.
03:38 A pal also reportedly said that the Oprah interview was "cathartic" for the Duchess,
03:43 and that she was "liberated" by the experience.
03:49 Members of the royal family were also reportedly "quietly pleased" that the Duchess did not
03:54 attend the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, and were concerned she would "create a spectacle."
04:03 The new edition, which is due to come out on August 31, looks at the controversy surrounding
04:08 Remembrance Sunday last year.
04:14 It claims Harry had wanted a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph, but it was left
04:18 in a box at the Kent offices of the Royal British Legion instead.
04:26 This was because Harry was no longer a front-line royal, Scobie and Durand write.
04:35 The book adds "10 years of service and a lifetime commitment to the military community" and
04:40 this is how it's been acknowledged by his family.
04:46 Blue Circle Read Our Meghan and Harry Live blog for the latest updates
04:49 Finding Freedom already chronicles Harry and Meghan's romance and brief period as members
04:54 of the monarchy before Mexit.
05:00 But it was updated after a tumultuous year for the royal family that includes allegations
05:04 of racism towards their son Archie.
05:11 The couple claimed a senior royal made a racist comment about the colour of his skin in their
05:15 explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
05:22 Prince William, who broke precedent to deny the family was racist, was said to be furious
05:27 that private family matters were being discussed in the public domain, the book claims.
05:36 The Finding Freedom update is said to have been written with the participation of those
05:39 closest to the Sussexes.
05:43 Scobie, a journalist favoured by the couple, said of the first edition that the couple
05:49 did not authorise the book and have never been interviewed for it.
05:57 Harry is now planning his own upcoming tell-all memoir that will give an accurate and wholly
06:01 truthful account of his life.
06:07 Buckingham Palace did not wish to comment when approached by
06:30 the family.
06:59 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
07:24 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
07:49 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
08:16 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
08:44 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
09:11 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
09:40 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
10:08 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
10:36 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
11:01 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
11:03 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
11:04 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
11:05 The book is expected to be released in the spring.
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