Samantha Cohen, a former royal aide, has recently broken her silence on the difficulties she faced while working for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, shedding light on the ongoing "Bullygate" scandal that has continued to stir controversy within royal circles. Cohen, who served the late Queen Elizabeth for 17 years before transitioning to work with the Sussexes, alleges she experienced "harsh treatment" during her extended tenure as Meghan's private secretary-a role she held three times longer than initially planned due to staffing challenges.
Initially assigned for a six-month stint, Cohen found herself entrenched in the position for 18 months. "I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18. We couldn't find a replacement for me," Cohen disclosed, highlighting the high turnover she witnessed, according to the Globe magazine. The difficulties in retaining her replacement were exemplified during a tour of Africa with Harry and Meghan, where a potential successor departed the role abruptly.
The backdrop to Cohen's resignation in 2019 is colored by earlier allegations brought forth by Jason Knauf, then the Sussexes' communications secretary. In 2018, Knauf lodged a formal complaint, claiming Meghan had bullied two personal assistants out of the household and expressing grave concerns about her treatment of staff. "The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence," Knauf reported at the time.
These allegations sparked a confidential internal investigation by the palace, the results of which remain sealed, leaving public and institutional speculation to swell. Descriptions of Meghan's interactions with her staff, provided by anonymous aides, include terms like "emotional cruelty" and "manipulation," with one staffer recounting, "I can't stop shaking," ahead of a confrontation with Meghan.
Despite the severity of these accusations, the Sussexes have vehemently denied any wrongdoing, framing themselves as the victims of a campaign designed to undercut their reputation and popularity. Their defensive stance was notably encapsulated in a highly publicized interview with American television, where Meghan, who is biracial, accused the royal family of racism and expressed that she felt driven to the brink of suicide due to her treatment within the royal institution.
Cohen's revelations come as part of the broader narrative she contributed to during the Bullygate probe. "These new revelations by Samantha Cohen, who's always been a loyal royal retainer, raise new questions about the duke and duchess' behavior," a palace source commented, reflecting the ongoing intrigue and division that these allegations have fostered among the public and within the palace walls.
The claims and counterclaims present a complex tableau of interactions and allegations that are symptomatic of broader issues within the royal family and the institutions that support it. Critics argue that the monarchy has repeatedly failed to protect its staff, a sentiment echoed by one aide's lament that the institution "just protected Meghan constantly," while doing little to shield the employees from her alleged bullying.
