Palace aides are running scared of the Sussexes causing “another world of pain” and playing the victim in a second bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, an expert has speculated.
And the fears could be behind the Palace's decision to withhold a report into alleged bullying of staff by Meghan Markle.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world with their revelations they shared with the iconic US host in March 2021.
During the two hour tell-all interview Meghan claimed there were “concerns” over the colour of their son Archie’s skin, adding she had suicidal thoughts during her time in the UK.
Attitudes have since cooled with the couple returning to the UK earlier last month for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, meeting privately with the monarch so she could meet granddaughter Lilibet.
However behind the scenes royal aides are concerned the California-based couple could return to Oprah’s sprawling £80million mansion for a damaging second interview, says Duncan Larcombe, former Royal Editor and author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story.
Speaking to The Royal Beat programme about Buckingham Palace's decision to withhold its report into alleged bullying of palace staff by Meghan, Mr Larcombe said: “For Jason Knauff to take that risk of reporting to Prince William, his ultimate boss, concerns he had about his staff and the treatment of them at the hands of one of the members of the Royal Family.
"That is not only unusual, but within the Queen’s reign this is absolutely unprecedented.
"I think the reason they are not publishing any of this is because the Palace is running scared of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
"I think they know that if they publish the report, the next thing that will happen potentially is for Harry and Meghan to play the victim and go on Oprah and cause another world of pain.”
Last month Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted pulling into Oprah Winfrey sprawling mansion, s parking fears of another bombshell interview in the works.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were snapped driving into the 70-acre property in Montecito, California, in June.
Images showed Prince Harry driving in the front seat with a woman next to him, believed to be pal actress Janina Gavankar.
Meghan was seen in the middle seat behind them with what appears to be a baby seat next to her, but it was unclear if either child were with them.
The trio were said to have been at Oprah's house for about an hour before leaving, sources told MailOnline.
Reports in June suggested the investigation into claims Meghan bullied members of her staff will never be published.
The palace has reportedly improved its HR policies and procedures as a result of the probe - which was privately funded by the Queen - but no longer plans to make any public statement about the inquiry or publicly acknowledge the raft of changes.
An independent law firm carried out the inquiry, with some participants reportedly left disappointed about the report being "buried".
The Sunday Times claimed the report was being kept secret to protect those who took part and also to avoid further clashes between the Sussexes and the palace.
Meghan's lawyers branded the allegations a "calculated smear campaign" launched ahead of her interview with Oprah.
The Duchess's closest friends and former acting colleagues denied the claims and said they couldn't be more different to the "kind" person they know and love.
During the Jubilee celebrations an insider claimed the Sussexes were "relegated" after their interview with Oprah "crossed the line" for some royals.
The Sussexes were not on the Buckingham Palace balcony as Jubilee celebrations kicked off and were spotted only in a few photos taken through a window during Trooping the Colour, showing them interacting playfully with some of the royal children.
On Friday they were present at a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, but did not go to a reception afterwards at the Guildhall which was attended by most of the other royals.
The couple's seats were in the second row of the congregation, with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and their husbands, Lady Sarah Chatto and her family.
They were sat behind the Duke of Gloucester, 31st in line to the throne.
