Meghan’s lawyer says William’s aide could not have spoken ‘without authority’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia, a partner at Schillings Law Firm, speaking during the final episode of the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary said: “When we were just about to go to the Court of Appeal, a senior member of the Duke of Cambridge’s team came forward to give this witness statement which wasn’t required and sadly there’s just no way he could have done that without the authority of his bosses.” In separate documentary footage, the Sussexes are shown discussing the development at the time, with Meghan saying: “I know, it’s your brother, I’m not going to say anything about your brother, but it’s so obvious…” Harry said there were attempts to try to “cover” the aide’s association with William, with Mr Knauf being labelled as a “former aide of Meghan and Harry” as opposed to, at the time, working as chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation. “This is the contract, the symbiotic relationship between the two institutions working the best that they can.” Mr Knauf worked for the Sussexes as their communications secretary when in October 2018 he emailed bullying concerns about Meghan to William’s then private secretary, in an apparent attempt to force Buckingham Palace to protect staff. The final episode of the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary series featured a written response from both Mr Knauf and the duchess’ legal team. “Nor do her attorneys believe Mr Knauf remained ‘neutral’ by submitting a witness statement relied on by Associated Newspapers whilst working for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.”