The previous royal aide who sensationally accused Meghan Markle of bullying her assistants at Kensington Palace was chosen to steer Prince William’s environmentalism undertaking.
Jason Knauf was appointed as the following CEO of the Earthshot Prize by the board of trustees after founding CEO Hannah Jones introduced her intent to step down from the position on Thursday.
Knauf was a trusted staffer within the Royal Family starting in February 2015 when he served because the communications secretary for Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Megan Markle.
He additionally attended Harry and Megan’s wedding ceremony in Could 2018.
“As we look ahead to the future of The Prize and the urgent work needed to scale more inspiring solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, I look forward to working with Jason to chart the course for the next five years of The Earthshot Prize and beyond,” Prince William mentioned within the announcement.
Knauf, a board member for the non-profit since 2022, celebrated his choice on Thursday in a put up to LinkedIn.
“It is an honour to be appointed as CEO of The Earthshot Prize. Thank you to the Board of Trustees for placing their faith in me to lead this very special organization. And thanks to Hannah Jones for her leadership over four remarkable years and for her support during this transition,” he wrote.
The Texas-born communications knowledgeable has served beneath the heir-apparent in a number of roles, together with as communications secretary till 2019.
Throughout that point, Knauf allegedly witnessed the previous “Suits” star “bully” her staffers to the purpose of lowering them to tears.
In accordance with The Instances of London, Knauf reported the alleged abuse to Prince William’s non-public secretary, Simon Case, as he tried to guard unnamed employees.
“I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X* was totally unacceptable,” Knauf wrote within the October 2018 HR criticism.
“The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights,” Knauf reportedly continued. “She is bullying Y and looking for to undermine her confidence. Now we have had report after report from individuals who have witnessed unacceptable conduct in the direction of Y.
“I remain concerned that nothing will be done,” he added.
Knauf’s accusations towards Markle had been made public in 2021, days earlier than her extremely anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey.
In February, he defended his choice to report the allegations regardless of the general public consideration, saying he “wouldn’t change anything.”
“Someone who is helping other people how to deal with the public eye… you probably have to take your own medicine sometimes,” Knauf informed “60 Minutes Australia.”
“You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job, and that applies to the prince and princess as well as everyone else working for them,” he added. “So, I wouldn’t change anything.”
He has remained loyal to Prince William even after leaving his “Spare” brother.
Knauf served because the CEO of the Royal Basis for the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge between 2019 and 2022, transitioning to work with the board on The Earshot Prize.
