Prince William’s public dig at Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shows he ‘doesn’t care’ what they think: experts

Prince William is sending out an undeniable message to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Jason Knauf, the former royal aide who accused the Duchess of Sussex of bullying, was recently named CEO of The Earthshot Prize, William’s key environmental organization.

"Prince William’s decision to make Jason Knauf, the former private secretary of the Sussexes, the CEO of his most prestigious project will infuriate Harry and Meghan," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital. "It is impossible to avoid feeling that this is precisely what William intended."

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Jason Knauf was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on May 10, 2023. (ALAMY)

"As far as the Sussexes are concerned, [Knauf] undoubtedly has pariah status," Fitzwilliams claimed. "[But] William is clearly showing he doesn’t care about what his brother thinks, much less Meghan.

"… The royal rift seems permanent," he added.

A statement posted on April 17 revealed that the organization’s current CEO, Hannah Jones, will depart from the post this summer after four years. Knauf immediately joined Earthshot and will work with his predecessor in the coming months.

The Prince and Princess of Wales traveled to Boston for The Earthshot Prize Awards in December 2022. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

"As the first CEO, Hannah has built The Prize into a world-class organization with an incredible team delivering an annual Prize, powering a platform for speeding solutions to scale, and catalyzing a movement to encourage young people, spark imaginations and infuse urgent optimism across the world," said William, 42, in a statement.

Prince William (left) appointed former palace aide Jason Knauf, who made allegations of bullying involving the Duchess of Sussex (center), as CEO of The Earthshot Prize. (KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images / Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

"As we look ahead to the future of The Prize and the urgent work needed to scale more inspiring solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, I look forward to working with Jason to chart the course for the next five years of the Earthshot Prize and beyond," he added.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital this announcement is significant.

Prince William is heir to the British throne. (Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images)

"It [represents] Jason’s stalwart support of the family during the bullying scandal," she claimed. "This is a clear signal as to the legitimacy of all the bullying reports, damning to Meghan Markle."

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Just days before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey was aired, claims of bullying involving the Duchess of Sussex went public. She strongly refuted the claims. (Harpo Productions)

"While every royal has had issues regarding those they can trust, Prince William, having been betrayed by his brother, is wary and has deeper trust issues," Fordwich claimed. "Jason remains one of his closest confidantes, a trusted advisor and a member of his inner circle due to his discretion during difficult times."

In February, Knauf gave a rare, televised interview shortly before the Duchess of Sussex launched her Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan."

"With Love, Meghan" premiered on March 4. (Jake Rosenberg/Netflix © 2025)

When asked by "60 Minutes Australia" about the sudden public attention he received after the bullying allegations went public, Knauf said, "I think it's tough, but it's probably quite good. You know, as someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye, you probably have to take your own medicine sometimes."

In 2018, Jason Knauf filed a complaint that accused Meghan Markle of bullying. According to the complaint, she allegedly drove two personal assistants out of her household. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job, and that applies to the prince and princess as well as everyone else working for them," he said. "So, I wouldn’t change anything."

At the time, Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace and Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment about Knauf’s interview.

According to reports, Prince William and Prince Harry's relationship is nonexistent following the publication of Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare." (Photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)

For seven years, Knauf, an American, worked at "the highest levels of the royal family," The Times UK reported. During his time at the palace, Knauf was in charge of communications for Meghan and Prince Harry, as well as William and Kate Middleton.

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Jason Knauf was on the board of trustees for The Earthshot Prize.  (Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The outlet noted that in 2016, Knauf was in charge of protecting Meghan from the relentless British tabloids once her romance with Harry came to light. Knauf described the couple’s 2018 wedding as an "amazing, magical experience."

However, the outlet noted that five months after the royal wedding, Knauf wrote an incendiary email accusing the former American actress of bullying palace staff.

Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex when she married Prince Harry in 2018. (Getty Images)

Knauf wrote to Simon Case, his boss and William’s private secretary, that there were "some very serious problems" with Meghan’s behavior. 

Jason Knauf is seen here attending Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018.  (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

In the emails, Knauf claimed that Meghan bullied two palace aides out of the household "in the past year." There were also allegations that Megan "undermined the confidence" of a third staff member.

"The duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights," the outlet quoted him as writing. "She is bullying X and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behavior."  

Jason Knauf maintained a close working relationship with the Prince and Princess of Wales. (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP/Getty Images)

The outlet reported that Knauf felt "it seemed possible" that Meghan could turn on him next. It shared that Knauf resigned a month later but was promptly rehired to work for William and Kate as a special adviser and chief executive of their Royal Foundation. The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their offices split before Meghan and Harry made their royal exit.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California. They cited the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media, as well as lack of support from the palace, for their royal exit.

In 2021, just days before Meghan and Harry’s televised interview with Oprah Winfrey aired, Valentine Low broke the story of the bullying allegations. 

Meghan’s team strongly refuted the claims.

Meghan Markle has faced several bullying allegations since she stepped back as a senior royal and moved to her home state. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images/Getty Images)

"The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma," a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital at the time. 

From left: Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018, in London, England. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020. (Eddie Mulholland - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good."

A spokesperson for the Sussexes also told The Times, "Let’s just call this what it is – a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation."

Prince Harry mentioned Jason Knauf in his explosive memoir "Spare." (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Times reported that Knauf resigned from his job working for William and Kate in 2021. At the time, his husband had accepted a diplomatic post abroad. Still, King Charles gave him a rare honor that’s bestowed only for "exceptional service to the monarchy." 

Before Knauf was appointed CEO of Earthshot, he was on the board of trustees.

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Jason Knauf gave a rare interview to "60 Minutes Australia" shortly before Meghan Markle's lifestyle series premiered on Netflix. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that "now more than ever," William "values and surrounds himself with professional and trustworthy people."

"Trust is the integral glue in William’s life," Chard explained. "… Prince Harry has repeatedly voiced grievances and leaked information about his family to the press, leading to a breakdown of their relationship and all trust.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle detailed their struggles with royal life in a Netflix docuseries titled "Harry & Meghan." It premiered in late 2022. (Netflix)

"Jason Knauf has proved himself as a trustworthy, professional, valuable team player and leader. He excelled working for the Prince and Princess of Wales… Jason’s care, empathy and work ethic resonated with thankful William. It is hardly surprising that he has now been appointed CEO of The Earthshot Prize."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reside in California with their two young children. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

In 2022, Buckingham Palace announced it had completed a review into the handling of the bullying allegations. However, they declined to share the results of the investigation.

Chard believes that Knauf’s latest role "also endorses that he was correct with the bullying allegations."

Several royal experts told Fox News Digital they don't believe Prince William (left) and Prince Harry will reconcile anytime soon. (Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

"… Harry and Meghan may be looking over their shoulders, wondering what new information could be unearthed referencing the bullying claims," she said. "One thing is for sure, Prince William, surprised that blood isn’t always thicker than water, champions trustworthy, supportive people."

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Buckingham Palace investigated the bullying accusations. The palace declined to share the results of the investigation. (Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Low previously told Fox News Digital in 2023 that he stood by his reporting.

"The important thing is we all know they’re quite litigious," he said, referring to the Sussexes. "But despite getting several strongly worded letters from their lawyers before we published — after we published, we didn’t hear a word from them. So that speaks volumes, too."

A spokesperson for Meghan Markle said she was "saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma. She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good." (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Low’s book "Courtiers" also alleged that "relations between the couple and some of their senior staff became so fractious that William’s private secretary had to step in to help keep the peace." Low also claimed that some former staff still had difficulty discussing their experiences. Some would even refer to themselves as members of "The Sussex Survivors’ Club."

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When Low’s book was published in 2023, reps for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn’t immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously told Fox News Digital they generally do not comment "on such books."

The Times noted that Knauf remains close to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Jason Knauf will officially begin his role as CEO for Prince William's Earthshot Prize this summer. (Samir Hussein - Pool/WireImage/Getty Images)

"If anyone knows where the Megxit bodies are buried, it’s a fully paid-up member of the Sussex Survivors Club: Jason Knauf," the outlet added.