The Duchess of Sussex has said she could not be expected to “just be silent” if the Royal Family is playing an “active role” in “perpetuating falsehoods” about her.
Meghan made the remarks in a second teaser clip for her heavily-anticipated TV interview with Oprah Winfrey – which will be aired on Sunday 7 March in the US before being shown in the UK the next day.
Harry and Meghan are expected to lift the lid on their short period as working royals together before stepping back from their duties to pursue a new life in America.
The duchess says she is not afraid of the consequences of speaking out during the 30-second clip, before adding that “a lot… has been lost already”.
Winfrey asks Meghan: “How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?”
She replies: “I don’t know how they could expect that, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us.
“And, if that comes with risk of losing things, I mean, I … there is a lot that has been lost already.”
CBS has shared the clip after Buckingham Palace said it had launched an investigation into claims the duchess bullied former royal staff.
Meghan and Harry will not be part of the process and it is understood the palace hopes to start the investigation soon.
Buckingham Palace is investigating bullying claims against Meghan
Past and present employees are to be invited to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for Meghan, after it was alleged she drove out two personal assistants and staff were “humiliated” on several occasions.
The Times newspaper has reported the duchess “destroyed” one member of staff and another was left in tears before she departed.
There has long been speculation about the atmosphere in the Sussex household after a number of staff left.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have said they are the victims of a calculated smear campaign following the allegations.
Lawyers for the couple have said the claims are based on “misleading and harmful misinformation“.
They also said Harry and Meghan believed staff were comfortable and happy.
Oprah Winfrey at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018
However, Jason Knauf, the Sussexes’ former communications secretary, made a bullying complaint in October 2018 in an apparent attempt to force Buckingham Palace to protect staff.
A source suggested the attitude to the allegations was more about making them “go away” rather than “addressing” them, with the paper claiming Mr Knauf’s complaint was never progressed.
The Times newspaper has chronicled what it describes as “turmoil” within palace walls.
They claim a number of sources said Meghan wanted to be a “victim” so her “unbearable experience” would convince Harry they had to leave to the UK – something her lawyers have denied.
The monarchy’s “men in grey suits” have been accused of being aware of the alleged actions of the duchess and of doing “absolutely nothing to protect people”.
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Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.
“The royal household has had a dignity at work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”
Meghan’s spokesman said: “The duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.
“She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”