Prince William hands top job to royal aide at centre of Meghan bullying claims

It has been announced that Prince William’s Earthshot Prize has appointed Jason Knauf – who recently gave a bombshell TV interview about his time working at Kensington Palace – as its new CEO

Prince William with Jason Knauf, the new CEO of the Earthshot Prize (Image: PA)

Prince William’s Earthshot Prize has handed a top job to his former royal aide who was at the centre of the Meghan Markle bullying claims. It has been revealed that Jason Knauf has now been appointed the CEO of the Earthshot Prize, as former executive Hannah Jones has decided to step down from the position after four years leading the environmental project.

Mr Knauf previously worked at Kensington Palace for both Prince Harry and Meghan, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, as their communications secretary. He hit headlines when it emerged he 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. Meghan has always strenuously denied the allegations, with her team branding them a “calculated smear campaign”.

Mr Knauf previously worked at Kensington Palace
Mr Knauf previously worked at Kensington Palace (Image: REUTERS)

He was formerly chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, stepping down at the end of 2021 and helped oversee the launch of the Foundation’s Earthshot Prize – William’s £50 million environmental prize, now an independent charity, which recognises solutions, ideas and technologies that “repair the planet”.

The future king is the driving force behind the annual environmental competition, which staged its last awards ceremony in Cape Town in November, after prize-giving events were held in Singapore in 2023, Boston in 2022 and the inaugural event at London’s Alexandra Palace in 2021.

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Speaking about the change, William, who is also president of the Earthshot Prize, said: “As the first CEO, Hannah has built The Prize into a world -class organisation with an incredible team delivering an annual Prize, powering a platform for speeding solutions to scale and catalysing a movement to encourage young people, spark imaginations and infuse urgent optimism across the world.

“As we look ahead to the future of The Prize and the urgent work needed to scale more inspiring solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, I look forward to working with Jason to chart the course for the next five years of The Earthshot Prize and beyond.”

William takes his seat at the awards in Cape Town
William at the Earthshot Prize Awards in Cape Town last year(Image: PA)

Mr Knauf’s appointment comes just weeks after he gave a rare public interview where he broke his silence on the Meghan bullying row and the media storm. Speaking on 60 Minutes Australia, he explained how he wouldn’t “change anything”.

He explained: “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.” When asked if he had any regrets from his time in the role, he replied: “No, it’s not what I would’ve sought, but you know, at the end of the day, you get to do an amazing job. You’ve got to take everything that comes with it.”

Also in the interview, Mr Knauf revealed that William was at his ‘lowest” after Kate was diagnosed with cancer. Both the King and the Princess of Wales were treated for cancer last year. Kate is now in remission and Charles is having ongoing treatment. He said: “Within a couple of weeks if you’re Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer. I couldn’t believe it.”

Describing a phone call with William about Kate’s diagnosis, which was made public in March last year, Mr Knauf said: “It was awful, absolutely awful. It’s the lowest I’ve ever seen him. But the problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background, online. ‘Was she really ill?’.

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“But they didn’t want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children.” Mr Knauf said what he used to talk about the ‘most’ in the past with William was “how he and the princess were going to prepare their children for life in the public eye”.

He added: “His childhood in front of the media was quite difficult at times, and he knew that he was going to be raising his kids to deal with social media and mobile phones and all of that stuff.”

Liam Gallagher reveals plan to leak secrets from Oasis tour

Oasis are reuniting for the first time in 15 years this summer for the Live 25 tour – and Liam Gallagher has revealed how they won’t miss a drop of the excitement

Liam Gallagher says he’ll be ‘live blogging’ the Oasis tour for fans(Image: PA)

Liam Gallagher has promised to keep fans informed and entertained on the Oasis Live 25 tour – saying he is going to “blog” between gigs on social media. The cheeky frontman often replies to fans ‘ questions and messages on ‘ X ‘ after going for his morning exercise or walks with his dog Buttons.

And speaking to fans this week he was asked if he will continue to tweet when on tour. Liam replied: “Oh I’m doing a tour blog, you’re gonna be sick of the sight of me. My middle name is content”.

Liam is known for his sarcasm on the social media site and also was asked about what he will wear on tour, he replied: “I’ll grab something on the way out”.

And in another comment likely to be laced with humour, he was “Ricky Martin” when asked who would be supporting Oasis on the South American leg of the world tour.

The comment came after Ball Park Music were announced as the support act for the Australian leg of gigs at the end of the year. They are an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane who formed in 2008.

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Noel and Liam will walk on stage for the first time together since the band split in 2009 on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The line up for the band is also now thought to have been completed with rehearsals for the whole band also expected to start soon in the coming month.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing in newcomer Joey Waronker on drums alongside more established former Oasis band members on guitars.

The full line up is thought to be Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker.

The UK shows will also feature special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are friends up the band.

Oasis frontman Liam, 51, admitted last year he was responsible for making up after fighting with Noel for years.

And Liam said it was him who picked up the phone to patch things up with his brother. It is thought he had been encouraged to do so by mum Peggy, partner Debbie and guitarist Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs.

Asked on X, formerly twitter, who called first him or Noel, Liam replied: “I called him but don’t tell anyone as I don’t want folk thinking I’m a soft lad and stuffs keep it between me n you cheers x”.

The reply was laced with humour which is typical of Liam’s responses on social media.

Article continues below

Liam Gallagher reveals plan to leak secrets from Oasis tour

Oasis are reuniting for the first time in 15 years this summer for the Live 25 tour – and Liam Gallagher has revealed how they won’t miss a drop of the excitement

Liam Gallagher says he’ll be ‘live blogging’ the Oasis tour for fans(Image: PA)

Liam Gallagher has promised to keep fans informed and entertained on the Oasis Live 25 tour – saying he is going to “blog” between gigs on social media. The cheeky frontman often replies to fans ‘ questions and messages on ‘ X ‘ after going for his morning exercise or walks with his dog Buttons.

And speaking to fans this week he was asked if he will continue to tweet when on tour. Liam replied: “Oh I’m doing a tour blog, you’re gonna be sick of the sight of me. My middle name is content”.

Liam is known for his sarcasm on the social media site and also was asked about what he will wear on tour, he replied: “I’ll grab something on the way out”.

And in another comment likely to be laced with humour, he was “Ricky Martin” when asked who would be supporting Oasis on the South American leg of the world tour.

The comment came after Ball Park Music were announced as the support act for the Australian leg of gigs at the end of the year. They are an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane who formed in 2008.

Article continues below

Noel and Liam will walk on stage for the first time together since the band split in 2009 on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The line up for the band is also now thought to have been completed with rehearsals for the whole band also expected to start soon in the coming month.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing in newcomer Joey Waronker on drums alongside more established former Oasis band members on guitars.

The full line up is thought to be Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker.

The UK shows will also feature special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are friends up the band.

Oasis frontman Liam, 51, admitted last year he was responsible for making up after fighting with Noel for years.

And Liam said it was him who picked up the phone to patch things up with his brother. It is thought he had been encouraged to do so by mum Peggy, partner Debbie and guitarist Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs.

Asked on X, formerly twitter, who called first him or Noel, Liam replied: “I called him but don’t tell anyone as I don’t want folk thinking I’m a soft lad and stuffs keep it between me n you cheers x”.

The reply was laced with humour which is typical of Liam’s responses on social media.

Article continues below

Liam Gallagher reveals plan to leak secrets from Oasis tour

Oasis are reuniting for the first time in 15 years this summer for the Live 25 tour – and Liam Gallagher has revealed how they won’t miss a drop of the excitement

Liam Gallagher says he’ll be ‘live blogging’ the Oasis tour for fans(Image: PA)

Liam Gallagher has promised to keep fans informed and entertained on the Oasis Live 25 tour – saying he is going to “blog” between gigs on social media. The cheeky frontman often replies to fans ‘ questions and messages on ‘ X ‘ after going for his morning exercise or walks with his dog Buttons.

And speaking to fans this week he was asked if he will continue to tweet when on tour. Liam replied: “Oh I’m doing a tour blog, you’re gonna be sick of the sight of me. My middle name is content”.

Liam is known for his sarcasm on the social media site and also was asked about what he will wear on tour, he replied: “I’ll grab something on the way out”.

And in another comment likely to be laced with humour, he was “Ricky Martin” when asked who would be supporting Oasis on the South American leg of the world tour.

The comment came after Ball Park Music were announced as the support act for the Australian leg of gigs at the end of the year. They are an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane who formed in 2008.

Article continues below

Noel and Liam will walk on stage for the first time together since the band split in 2009 on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The line up for the band is also now thought to have been completed with rehearsals for the whole band also expected to start soon in the coming month.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing in newcomer Joey Waronker on drums alongside more established former Oasis band members on guitars.

The full line up is thought to be Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker.

The UK shows will also feature special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are friends up the band.

Oasis frontman Liam, 51, admitted last year he was responsible for making up after fighting with Noel for years.

And Liam said it was him who picked up the phone to patch things up with his brother. It is thought he had been encouraged to do so by mum Peggy, partner Debbie and guitarist Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs.

Asked on X, formerly twitter, who called first him or Noel, Liam replied: “I called him but don’t tell anyone as I don’t want folk thinking I’m a soft lad and stuffs keep it between me n you cheers x”.

The reply was laced with humour which is typical of Liam’s responses on social media.

Article continues below

Liam Gallagher reveals plan to leak secrets from Oasis tour

Oasis are reuniting for the first time in 15 years this summer for the Live 25 tour – and Liam Gallagher has revealed how they won’t miss a drop of the excitement

Liam Gallagher says he’ll be ‘live blogging’ the Oasis tour for fans(Image: PA)

Liam Gallagher has promised to keep fans informed and entertained on the Oasis Live 25 tour – saying he is going to “blog” between gigs on social media. The cheeky frontman often replies to fans ‘ questions and messages on ‘ X ‘ after going for his morning exercise or walks with his dog Buttons.

And speaking to fans this week he was asked if he will continue to tweet when on tour. Liam replied: “Oh I’m doing a tour blog, you’re gonna be sick of the sight of me. My middle name is content”.

Liam is known for his sarcasm on the social media site and also was asked about what he will wear on tour, he replied: “I’ll grab something on the way out”.

And in another comment likely to be laced with humour, he was “Ricky Martin” when asked who would be supporting Oasis on the South American leg of the world tour.

The comment came after Ball Park Music were announced as the support act for the Australian leg of gigs at the end of the year. They are an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane who formed in 2008.

Article continues below

Noel and Liam will walk on stage for the first time together since the band split in 2009 on July 4 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

The line up for the band is also now thought to have been completed with rehearsals for the whole band also expected to start soon in the coming month.

Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing in newcomer Joey Waronker on drums alongside more established former Oasis band members on guitars.

The full line up is thought to be Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker.

The UK shows will also feature special guests Richard Ashcroft and Cast, who are friends up the band.

Oasis frontman Liam, 51, admitted last year he was responsible for making up after fighting with Noel for years.

And Liam said it was him who picked up the phone to patch things up with his brother. It is thought he had been encouraged to do so by mum Peggy, partner Debbie and guitarist Paul ‘ Bonehead ‘ Arthurs.

Asked on X, formerly twitter, who called first him or Noel, Liam replied: “I called him but don’t tell anyone as I don’t want folk thinking I’m a soft lad and stuffs keep it between me n you cheers x”.

The reply was laced with humour which is typical of Liam’s responses on social media.

Article continues below

Tragic mystery of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death after autopsy choice

Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, was tragically found dead at her New York City apartment in February, but her heartbroken family have objected to an autopsy

Michelle Trachtenberg’s family made a decision about what would be done with her body (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Michelle Trachtenberg’s family made a tough decision that means her true cause of death will never be revealed.

This week, authorities in New York confirmed the Buffy The Vampire Slayer star died from complications due to diabetes. A medical examiner concluded the actress passed away from “complications of diabetes mellitus” according to TMZ. The lab results cited in the reveal did not state whether Michelle had type 1 or type 2 diabetes or what the complications were.

And the actual cause of death for Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress will remain a mystery, as her family has officially objected to an autopsy on religious grounds, according to Page Six.

Because of the objection, both the cause and manner of her death will be listed as “undetermined” on her death certificate.

READ MORE: Gossip Girl’s Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death revealed after hidden health issues

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar
Michelle starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar on Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Image: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
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A spokesperson for New York’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner explained, “Under public health law, families may object to autopsy based on religious belief, and provided there is no suspicion of criminality or compelling public health reason to proceed with autopsy, the medical examiner honours the objection.”

Although medical examiners performed an external examination of the 39-year-old actress, no further tests are expected, leaving the exact circumstances of her untimely passing unknown. However, Trachtenberg’s cause of death was classified as ‘natural,’ medical examiners said in their latest report.

Michelle was tragically found dead at a residential address in New York in February. Authorities said they responded to an emergency call to One Columbus Place in New York and the Euro Trip actress was confirmed dead after emergency medical services arrived.

Prior to her death, Michelle underwent a liver transplant, a procedure often sought out by people who have severe liver issues, with some as a result of long-time alcohol use.

Michelle played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl
Michelle played Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl

A source revealed to People shortly after her death that the actress had confided in friends about her emotional and physical struggles in the year leading up to her death. “She was really, really sick and was open with those close to her about her struggles,” the insider shared. They also described her as appearing “pale, gaunt, and very thin.”

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Her friend Amanda De Cadenet revealed she spoke to the actress when she was in hospital recently. In an Instagram post, Amanda wrote: “Sweetheart Michelle. What sad news this morning to wake up to. It feels weird and awful to be posting this, but I want to acknowledge your death because I cared about you.

“I will always remember you as the young vivacious woman I met when I took this photo of you …,” De Cadenet said, alongside a photo of a young Michelle posing for the camera. “Seeing your face from the hospital bed when we FaceTimed recently, even though you did not look like you, your sweetness and humour were still alive.”

READ MORE: Top-rated teeth whitening strips currently 30% off in ‘cheaper than Amazon’ Easter sale