Prince William has appointed Jason Knauf as the new CEO of The Earthshot Prize, following Knauf's controversial comments regarding Meghan Markle's alleged bullying of royal staff.

During the transition, Jones will continue to provide strategic advice on innovation and sustainability to Kensington Palace.

Knauf's appointment is seen as another blow to Harry and Meghan amid their ongoing feud with William, reinforcing the divide within the family.

Hannah Jones, who previously held the position, emphasized the importance of knowing when to step aside in her farewell statement, declaring it her time to 'pass the baton' after four impactful years.

In a Netflix documentary, Prince Harry accused Prince William of allowing Knauf to issue statements against Meghan during legal disputes, highlighting the ongoing tensions within the royal family.

Knauf previously served as chief executive of The Royal Foundation and remained with William and Kate after their households split in 2019.

In interviews, Knauf has praised Prince William's potential as a king, noting his down-to-earth wisdom and connection to people.

Knauf has openly discussed the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry, describing it as a difficult situation for those close to them and respecting William's desire for privacy.

Meghan Markle recently mourned the death of her rescue dog, Guy, sharing her grief on social media.

This new role marks Knauf's return to a significant royal position just weeks after he defended his accusations against Markle in a public interview.

King Charles has expressed pride in Prince William's commitment to environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of unity in addressing climate challenges.

Originally from Texas, Knauf is an American-born communications professional with a background in New Zealand politics and financial institutions.