An investigation into allegations of bullying against Meghan Markle has concluded, leading to improvements in HR policies for royal staff. However, the findings of the report will not be made public, according to a senior palace aide who spoke during a briefing on Wednesday.
While the details remain confidential, recommendations from the inquiry have been incorporated into palace policies and procedures. The changes include encouraging staff to act as whistleblowers for inappropriate behavior, and a "concern at work" policy outlines how employees can express concerns or report misconduct within the royal household.
All royal family members and staff are now informed about these policies. The modifications aim to provide avenues for raising concerns and include the option to seek resolution through independent counselors.
The review, initiated by Buckingham Palace in March 2021, was prompted by a report in The Times suggesting a bullying complaint against Meghan Markle by a close adviser during her tenure as a working royal at Kensington Palace. The Duchess of Sussex strongly denied the allegations, which claimed she had driven personal assistants out and undermined the confidence of another staff member.
In response to The Times report, Meghan's spokesperson issued a statement expressing her sadness at the attack on her character. The palace then announced an HR investigation into the claims, involving former staff members during the relevant period.
The conclusions of the inquiry have now been utilized to enhance HR policies without public disclosure of specific findings. The changes aim to foster a supportive work environment within the royal household.
