Her Majesty the Queen is paying for the inquiry into the Meghan Markle bullying row with her own money, according to a senior Palace source.
Buckingham Palace said no taxpayers' money was being spent on the investigation, which was sparked following claims from a comms chief.
Jason Knauf, former joint communications secretary at Kensington Palace, has reportedly collated a number of alleged complaints by palace staff, in which several claimed the Duchess of Sussex had subjected them to "emotional cruelty and manipulation".
One member of Kensington Palace staff claimed they "couldn’t stop shaking" at the prospect of a confrontation with Meghan, according to author Robert Lacey.
A senior palace source told Birmingham Live : "There is no Sovereign Grant money spent on this review. It is being met privately and not out of public money.
"I have nothing further to add whilst this review is in progress.
"I have not seen the results of the review by independent lawyers, and I can't comment further at this stage."
The “review” of working practices inside the palace by an independent law firm was launched in March and its findings were due to be released on Wednesday.
However, the probe is now set to rumble on and could even stretch into next year, as a source close to the inquiry said: "The feeling is this is heading for a brutal showdown between the Duchess of Sussex who is understood to be disputing all allegations labelled against her."
In a statement after the bullying probe emerged, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex, 36, issued a brutal and forthright rebuttal.
The claims emerged in the wake of the Oprah Winfrey interview in March, and the Sussexes hit back: "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 Daily Star has contacted Kensington Palace for clarification on this story, and we will add any response from them as soon as it's received.
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