In a rare interview, a former aide of Prince William and Princess Kate has shared an insight into the private lives of the royal couple.
Jason Knauf who worked in communications for the couple, as well as for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, spoke with the news programme 60 Minutes Australia about Kate and William’s feelings on life in the spotlight.
He revealed “two things” the couple are not interested in. He candidly said: “They’re not that interested in the fame and celebrity that comes with it. In fact, not really interested at all. I think that makes it quite interesting in today’s world to see people out there doing their jobs but for the right reasons.”
He also boldly added that “neither of the Prince or the Princess would choose to be public figures”.
The former palace aide also shared how it was impossible to “control the image” of anyone in today’s media and social media world, adding the Prince and Princess of Wales were their true selves.
He said: “With both of these people, the prince and the princess, what you see is what you really get behind the scenes as well.”
Mr Knauf eventually became the chief executive of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation until late 2021. He now continues to serve on the board of trustees for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
The organisation focuses on the global challenge and ambitious goals of fixing the world’s biggest environmental problems.
William, 42, and Kate, 43, have made a point to focus on their young family, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. The family most recently travelled to the island of Mustique in the Caribbean for a family holiday during the school’s half-term holiday.
While Queen Elizabeth and King Charles were largely raised by additional help, William and Kate have taken a more hands-on approach when it comes to George, Charlotte, and Louis.
In October 2018, while working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as their communications secretary, Mr Knauf made a bullying complaint against Meghan – emailing his concerns to William’s then-private secretary in an apparent attempt to force Buckingham Palace to protect staff. The duchess has always vehemently denied the allegations.
The email was leaked to The Times just days before Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. In the interview, Mr Knauf spoke about the media storm that followed the leak.
He said [on whether it was difficult]: “I think it, it’s tough, but it’s probably quite good. You know someone who has been helping other people through how to deal with the public eye. You probably had to take your own medicine sometimes.
“You can’t choose just to take the fun stuff in any job. And that applies to the Prince and Princess [of Wales] as well as everyone else working for them. So I wouldn’t change anything.”
Despite the alleged “bullying” row, Mr Knauf spoke fondly of Meghan and Harry, saying: “I worked really closely with the two of them and we had lots of great times.”
He also spoke about their wedding in May 2018, adding: “Working on their wedding was an amazing, magical experience, and you know I wish them absolutely all the best with their lovely family.”
Buckingham Palace launched an internal review into the bullying claims, but the findings were never made public. Mr Knauf was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in the 2023 New Year Honours List.
