Meghan Markle's very blunt 7-word retort after concerns raised over treatment of staff
Meghan Markle reportedly responded very bluntly when a senior aide confronted her about her treatment of staff, according to Royal author Robert Lacey.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, is said to have humiliated palace workers in meetings, shouted at them and "governed by fear", as per revelations in a book about the royals.
But when asked about it, Meghan's seven-word retort was, allegedly: "It's not my job to coddle people."
However, Meghan's closest friends and former acting colleagues have refuted these claims, insisting that they don't align with the "kind" person they know and love.
Robert Lacey, who provides historical assistance for Netflix show The Crown, has detailed tensions within the Royal household stretching back as far back as 2017 in his book Battle of the Brothers.
According to the updated version of his book, Prince William believed the Suits actress was "stealing his beloved brother away" and was "very concerned" after learning about allegations of bullying made against Meghan, reports the Mirror.
The conflict between Prince Harry and William escalated to such an extent that the older sibling separated his household from his brother's, as reported by The Times.
Tensions reached a boiling point when Jason Knauf, who worked in communications for both the Cambridges and the Sussexes, submitted an official email in October 2018 making the bullying allegations - which the Sussexes deny.
One courtier quoted in the book claimed: "Meghan governed by fear. So many people said it. Nothing was ever good enough for her."
"[She] humiliated staff in meetings, [would] shout at them, [would] cut them off email chains - and then demand to know why they hadn't done anything."
The Duchess was confronted about her behaviour as early as 2017, around the time of the Sussexes' engagement, according to the newspaper.
Yet when the senior aide told Meghan her behaviour was causing difficulties for staff, she reportedly said: "It's not my job to coddle people."
The allegations against the duchess surfaced publicly in March this year, with Buckingham Palace saying it was "concerned" at reports staff had been bullied.
The palace specifically investigated allegations that the Duchess of Sussex had bullied two PAs out of their jobs in the previous year.
The 2018 document claimed that Meghan seemed intent on "always having someone in her sights", and Knauf said he had received "report after report" from people who witness "unacceptable behaviour" by Meghan towards a member of staff.
When the allegations were first reported, a spokesperson for the Sussexes vehemently denied them.
They said: "Let's just call this what it is - a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation."
"We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet."
"It's no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining the duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and the duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years."
Meghan's friends also defended her against the allegations back in March, with one stating it was "so far from the woman I know".
A friend told Bazaar.com that Meghan was upset by the accusations, saying: "I hate to say it, but find me a woman of colour in a senior position who has not been accused of being too angry, too scary... in the work place. Her best friend Jessica Mulroney praised Meghan for being "kind, empathetic and loving".Jessica, 41, wrote: "I don't know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman. ""In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love."
OK! has contacted Meghan's reps for comment.
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