Meghan Markle’s Claim of Forgetting Aides’ Involvement in Biography Comes Under Scrutiny

Columnist Dawn Neesam has cast doubt on Meghan Markle's assertion that she forgot about allowing aides to brief the authors of her biography, “Finding Freedom,” despite consistently denying her and Prince Harry's involvement.

Neesam argues that such a significant detail is unlikely to be forgotten, comparing it to forgetting keys or a phone, which can easily slip one's mind.

However, during an appearance on Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show, Neesam highlighted how claims made by Meghan in the Oprah Winfrey interview had been challenged and proven false.

Speaking on Jeremy Vine on 5, Neesam delved into the legal battle between Associated Newspapers and Meghan Markle, offering her perspective on the events.

She emphasized, “But I mean, you know, Jeremy, you forget where you put your keys or your phone, you do not forget helping out to put a book together.”

Mr. Vine then questioned whether Neesam was suggesting that Meghan's claim of forgetting was untrue.

In response, Neesam stated, “Well, this is the problem.

Claims in the Oprah Winfrey interview, and I use that word very loosely.

Claims that Meghan made in that are demonstrably untrue, which we know we can prove.”

Mr. Vine then inquired if Neesam was referring to concerns over baby Archie's skin tone, raised by a member of the royal family.

Neesam recalled the Buckingham Palace response, which stated that recollections may vary, highlighting the conflicting statements from Harry and Meghan regarding when these concerns were first raised.

Earlier in the show, Times radio presenter Ayesha Hazarika advised the public to remain calm amidst the ongoing story, drawing attention to Queen Elizabeth II's common-sense approach of not overreacting to major news stories involving the couple.

Neesam also agreed that the rhetoric surrounding the situation needed to be toned down.

During an LBC show, Nick Ferrari asked Camilla Tominey if she believed this could be a turning point or a slight crack in the facade.

Tominey responded, “Well, it certainly does change the outlook of this appeal in the sense that previously when there was the first hearing, there was a sense that Jason Knauf had been asked to give evidence.”

She further explained that Knauf had initially indicated he would provide a neutral perspective for both sides and that his evidence wouldn't necessarily support the view that he had co-authored the letter.

However, his recent witness statement includes emails written by Harry and Meghan, indicating their feelings at the time.

Tominey highlighted that these emails pertained not only to their cooperation with the authors of the biography but also to Meghan's intentions when writing the heartfelt letter to her father, Thomas Markle.

Meghan is currently facing an appeal lodged by Associated Newspapers, who are seeking a full trial after being sued for publishing her private letter to her father.

The Duchess of Sussex successfully won the lawsuit, citing privacy breaches.

However, new testimonies from Meghan's former aide, Jason Knauf, suggest that Meghan anticipated her father leaking the letter and therefore edited its content.

Knauf claims that Meghan wanted to use the word “daddy” in the letter as it would elicit an emotional response if it were leaked.

He further stated that Meghan asked him to review the text with the understanding that it could be made public.

In court, Meghan apologized for forgetting that she had given permission for staff to share information with the authors of “Finding Freedom.”

Knauf informed the court that he had messaged Prince Harry about a meeting with the authors, and Harry responded, “I totally agree that we have to be able to say we didn't have anything to do with it.

Equally, you giving the right context and background to them would help get some truths out there.”

Associated Newspapers have appealed for a full trial, arguing that Meghan wrote the letter with the intention of it being made public if her father were to leak it.

In an interview with GB News, Thomas Markle expressed gratitude towards Knauf for coming forward to challenge his daughter and even offered to buy him a steak if they were to meet.