Future king appoints key ally to senior role in move seen as payback to Harry and Meghan
Prince William has made a calculated move that royal insiders believe sends a pointed message to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as tensions between the brothers continue to simmer.
On Friday, the Prince of Wales announced that his former aide, Jason Knauf, will take over as CEO of the Earthshot Prize. Knauf, who previously made headlines after alleging Meghan Markle had bullied Palace staff, is now being publicly rewarded for what has been described as steadfast loyalty to the future king.
“Jason has proved his loyalty to William and has been rewarded,” a Palace aide told The Daily Beast. “He was caught in the middle of a very nasty situation with Meghan and he just told the truth. Jason is one of the good guys.”
William praised Knauf in an official statement, noting that the next phase of the Earthshot Prize would require strong leadership to scale global solutions. The appointment is for a five-year term, and Knauf responded by saying he was “honoured” to take on the role.
The announcement comes shortly after reports revealed that Prince Harry’s recent solo trip to Ukraine had left William “fuming.” Many royal commentators have suggested the visit was designed to irritate the future king, especially after William had been advised against a similar trip due to security concerns.
Now, William’s decision to elevate Knauf is being viewed as a strategic move—both professionally and personally. It signals his continued opposition to any royal comeback for the Sussexes and reinforces his position in the ongoing family rift.
Some insiders believe the appointment is a reminder that under William’s reign, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may face even greater resistance—including the possible revocation of their titles.
