In a move that certainly seems pointed, Prince William just made Jason Knauf CEO of The Earthshot Prize.
If this means nothing to you: quick reminder that Jason is the former royal aide who accused Meghan Markle of bullying—a claim she strongly denied and one her team described as part of a "smear campaign."
So...what's the backstory here? It's unclear why William made this brow-raising move, but royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News that "Prince William’s decision to make Jason Knauf, the former private secretary of the Sussexes, the CEO of his most prestigious project will infuriate Harry and Meghan. It is impossible to avoid feeling that this is precisely what William intended."
Fitzwilliams went on to say that "As far as the Sussexes are concerned, [Knauf] undoubtedly has pariah status. William is clearly showing he doesn’t care about what his brother thinks, much less Meghan.… The royal rift seems permanent."
Meanwhile, royal expert Hilary Fordwich added that "While every royal has had issues regarding those they can trust, Prince William, having been betrayed by his brother, is wary and has deeper trust issues. Jason remains one of his closest confidantes, a trusted advisor and a member of his inner circle due to his discretion during difficult times."
Pretty wild that William would hire someone who accused Meghan of bullying, but then again, this family is nothing if not messy!
