Megham Markle has contacted Buckingham Palace demanding to see emails, documents, or texts linked to a bullying complaint made against her, it has been reported.
The duchess reportedly wrote to the Palace to "request the evidence", a senior Palace source told the Mail on Sunday – which described the move as a "clear indication that the duchess is preparing to fight back".
The Queen is said to have passed the request to the Prince of Wales, whose close aides are now reportedly searching the files.
The allegations involve two senior members of staff who claimed that they were bullied by the duchess. Another former employee allegedly claimed they had been “humiliated” by Meghan. The Palace has launched an inquiry.
The news follows the explosive revelations made in Harry and Meghan's TV interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the couple spoke of the hardship they had endured and explained why they had decided to step back as senior royals.
During the interview Meghan said she had been left feeling suicidal, and claimed racist comments were made to Harry about the potential skin colour of the couple's then unborn child Archie.
The couple claimed a Royal Family member had expressed "concerns" over "how dark" their son's skin might be.
Oprah revealed afterwards that Harry had stressed “it was not his grandmother or grandfather who were part of those conversations”.
Responding to the bullying claims, a spokesman for the Sussexes previously said the couple have been the victims of a “calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation”.
The bullying complaint reportedly claimed Meghan “drove two personal assistants out of the household and was undermining the confidence of a third staff member”, according to The Times.
The alleged behaviour is said to have led to members of staff quitting their jobs - with other members of staff saying they were often left "terrified" amid disagreements in the royal household.
Meghan - who is currently expecting her second child - hit back at the claims and accused royals of "perpetuating falsehoods".
Meghan Markle's spokesperson has said of the bullying claims: "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."
The complaint was allegedly submitted in October 2018 by Jason Knauf, then the couple’s communications secretary.
It is alleged Harry personally intervened and “pleaded with Knauf not to pursue it”, a source told The Times. A spokesman for the couple said Harry would not interfere in staff matters.
