Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are experiencing yet another mass exodus of staff as reports indicate that four individuals under their employment have parted ways with them in recent weeks.
The news of the Sussex staff shake-up was confirmed by PEOPLE last week although the news was initially reported on by Hello! According to the outlet deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and press officer Charlie Gipson were among the four who left their roles. Both were brought on to work for the royal couple last year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have trouble retaining staff
The Sussexes have seen around 20 employees leave them since 2020. The numbers seem unusually high and people have started wondering if Harry and Meghan are bad bosses which might explain why there’s such a high turnover.
Last year the couple’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, left his role after just three months. His quick departure from the position led to speculation back then, especially considering he was far from the first to depart from his role after such a short period of time. Although Kettler’s decision to leave was reportedly a mutual decision the news of him stepping down fed into the narrative that the Sussexes were fostering a toxic work environment and that the Duchess was supposedly “bullying” members of staff.
With four more staff members leaving in quick succession the speculation regarding the work environment Harry and Meghan maintain is likely to come back into the discussion. However, it’s not entirely clear how many walked and how many were fired.
Changes in the Sussex household
This latest shift comes after Meghan and Harry hired Meredith Maines, who has worked for Google, Hulu, and American Idol in the past. Maines will take on the role of first chief communications officer. The couple also hired Emily Robinson as Director of Communications recently.
So perhaps this shake-up is simply a case of the Sussexes changing their approach when it comes to their business. However, an unnamed source told Hello! That they suspected the new arrangement would not last long.
“Something tells me there will be another change in the future… Meghan and Harry have hired some of the most incredible people at the top of their fields, yet somehow none of them ever work out.”
Like it or not, they do have a point. Going through as many staff as Meghan and Harry have, as quickly as they have, is not a great sign for the longevity of this current arrangement. The couple have made some questionable business decisions with the Duchess’ ‘As Ever’ brand constantly pivoting and changing approach without giving any one idea long enough to really blossom.
