Prince Harry and Meghan dismiss 'distressing' Vanity Fair article, five years after royal exit

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have dismissed fresh allegations made about them and an alleged toxic workplace culture, published in an 8000-word feature by Vanity Fair.

The lengthy piece, released on Friday to mark five years since Prince Harry and Meghan's exit from the royal family, was titled 'American Hustle'.

The high-profile US magazine says it spent months speaking to those close to the Sussexes, including former podcast staff, about their life away from the UK.

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It included a number of claims from unnamed sources, including one who alleged staff needed "long-term therapy" after working with the duchess.

Another source described the strain Meghan allegedly put on her colleagues when things went wrong was "really, really, really awful" and "very painful".

Prince Harry is described as being lonely and being desperate to reconnect with his family.

The allegations are reminiscent of bullying claims made against the duchess when she was a working member of the royal family, which Meghan has always strongly denied.

In 2018, she was subject of a palace bullying complaint amid concerns "that the duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household".

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The official findings from the Buckingham Palace investigation were never made public.

The Vanity Fair feature also speculated on rumours about Harry and Meghan's marriage and whether the duchess had been approached to write a "post-divorce" book.

However, not everyone interviewed for the story had a negative view of the couple.

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Producer Jane Marie, who worked with Harry and Meghan while they developed audio projects at Archewell, described the duchess as "a lovely, genuine person".

She added: "I can say that they had really great ideas for shows, interesting pitches, interesting guests. But them as the deliverers or either of them as the hosts of these more kind of edgy ideas would have been like … they would have had to move again."

While someone who worked on an event during Harry's book tour said he had the "greatest manners I've ever seen. Hands down. Like I can't believe his knees are as supple as they are. He was getting up and down anytime somebody walked into a room.... He was unfailingly kind and friendly to everyone."

Another said: "He looks like the kind of guy who would, frankly, happily work for charities for the rest of his life and would be very happy if Meghan made all the money and he didn't need to."

The article also included comments from their neighbours in Montecito, California, who have allegedly complained about the attention Harry and Meghan have brought to the town.

But friends of the couple pointed to an interview actress Sharon Stone gave to Hello! magazine, in 2020, when she painted a very different picture of the Sussexes.

"They're a part of our community, they've become a giving, caring, participating part of our community. They're not here to be like, 'Would you like to kiss my butt?'" she said.

Prince Harry and Meghan declined to be interviewed for the story and have not issued an official statement in response to the claims.

According to The Times, they are said to have dismissed the 'distressing' story.

They were most recently seen in public comforting evacuees of the Los Angeles fires during a visit to the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena.

They are also understood to have gifted clothing, children's items and other essential supplies for those affected, and have also donated money through their Archewell Foundation.

Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly opened their $29 million mansion to friends and loved ones who have been displaced by the wildfires.

Meghan's long-awaited cooking and lifestyle series will air in March after being delayed due to the wildfires.

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