Ex-aide who accused Meghan of bullying appointed to lead Earthshot in move seen as strategic
Prince William has made a headline-making decision that appears to further strain his already fractured relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—appointing Jason Knauf, the former royal aide who once accused Meghan of bullying, as the new CEO of The Earthshot Prize.
Knauf, who worked closely with both royal brothers and their wives, was confirmed as the new Earthshot leader on April 17. The appointment comes just days after Prince Harry’s court statement regarding his royal security was made public, in which he alleged that the removal of his protection was meant to pressure him into remaining a working royal.
According to a royal insider, the move is being interpreted as more than just a leadership choice. “The timing seems like a reaction to Harry’s statement against the Firm,” the source said. “It might not be a calculated move, but it’s certainly a blow to Harry and Meghan. With this decision, William has once again knocked Harry to the floor.”
The Earthshot Prize, launched by William in 2020, is one of the future King’s most high-profile ventures. Praising Knauf, William said, “I look forward to working with Jason to chart the course for the next five years of the Earthshot Prize and beyond.” He also thanked outgoing CEO Hannah Jones for her leadership.
Knauf previously filed a complaint in 2018, alleging Meghan drove two palace staff members to resign and diminished the confidence of a third—allegations the Duchess has strongly denied. A spokesperson for Meghan and Harry at the time said she was “saddened by this latest attack on her character” and reaffirmed her dedication to supporting victims of bullying and trauma.
The appointment revives public focus on the ongoing rift between the brothers—already inflamed by Harry’s memoir Spare, which recounts a 2019 altercation where William allegedly physically knocked Harry to the floor during an argument about Meghan.
Meanwhile, Meghan is facing fresh criticism for using the HRH title in a recent social media post promoting her new podcast, despite being formally restricted from doing so after stepping back from royal duties.
With William’s latest move, the divide within the royal family appears deeper than ever, and any prospects of reconciliation seem increasingly unlikely.
