Prince William’s Bold Move With Earthshot CEO Sends a Frosty Signal to Harry and Meghan

Prince William is making his stance on the royal rift with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pretty clear—and he’s not exactly whispering it under his breath. The appointment of Jason Knauf, the former aide who accused Meghan of bullying staff, as CEO of The Earthshot Prize, William’s flagship environmental project, is being seen by royal watchers as a pointed message.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams put it bluntly: William’s choice is likely to enrage Harry and Meghan, and it’s hard not to feel that’s exactly what William wants. According to Fitzwilliams, Knauf is persona non grata in the Sussex camp, but William’s move signals that he’s not losing sleep over their opinions these days. The royal rift, he added, looks more like a chasm at this point.

The Earthshot Prize officially announced Knauf’s new role on April 17, stating that current CEO Hannah Jones will step down this summer after four years. Knauf is already working alongside her to ensure a smooth transition. William was effusive in his praise for Jones, crediting her for building a top-tier team and inspiring optimism across the globe. He also looked ahead to working with Knauf to shape Earthshot’s future, highlighting the urgent environmental work ahead.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich pointed out the symbolism behind Knauf’s appointment, saying it demonstrates the royal family’s support for him during the notorious bullying scandal. In her view, it’s a not-so-subtle endorsement of the legitimacy of those bullying allegations—certainly not great PR for Meghan.

Fordwich noted that royal trust issues run deep, especially after William’s sense of betrayal by his brother. In that context, Knauf has remained a close and trusted confidant, valued for his discretion during tough times.

Knauf himself rarely speaks publicly, but he did give a TV interview earlier this year, just before Meghan launched her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan." He told "60 Minutes Australia" that, while public scrutiny can be tough, it’s part of the job for everyone in royal orbit—even the boss. He quipped that sometimes you have to take your own medicine, and insisted he wouldn’t change a thing about his choices.

Knauf’s history with the royals is complicated. He worked in high-level roles for both the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Early on, he even helped protect Meghan from the British tabloids during her whirlwind romance with Harry. But things took a sharp turn after the wedding, when Knauf accused Meghan of bullying staff, saying her behavior created a toxic environment. He later left, only to be quickly rehired by William and Kate for their foundation.

Meghan’s team strongly denied the bullying allegations, calling them a "calculated smear campaign" and asserting that she remains committed to compassion and helping others. The palace later completed a review of the allegations, but chose not to release the results, keeping royal tea connoisseurs everywhere on their toes.

Knauf eventually left his role with William and Kate in 2021, following his husband’s diplomatic posting abroad. For his service, King Charles awarded him a rare honor reserved for exceptional monarchy service. Before becoming CEO, Knauf already served on the Earthshot board of trustees.

Royal commentator Helena Chard emphasized that William now values trustworthy people more than ever, especially after Harry’s public airing of family grievances led to a breakdown in their relationship. For Chard, Knauf’s appointment as CEO is no surprise, reflecting his professionalism, empathy, and loyalty.

The bullying saga still casts a long shadow. Some former staff reportedly refer to themselves as members of the "Sussex Survivors’ Club," and questions continue to swirl about what else might come out. One thing’s clear: William is doubling down on loyalty—blood may be thicker than water, but in this palace drama, trust is golden.