'Impossible to Please': Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Staffing Crisis as 9th US Hire Exits
In a development that has sent ripples through royal circles and entertainment industry insiders alike, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are once again grappling with staffing issues as another key figure departs their organization. This latest resignation underscores a pattern of high turnover that has plagued the couple since their 2018 wedding, raising questions about their management style and the challenges of working in their high-profile environment.
Josh Kettler, who was hired as Prince Harry's chief of staff just three months ago, has left his position in what sources describe as a mutual decision. A spokesperson told People magazine that both sides agreed it "wasn't the right fit." Kettler, who joined the Sussexes' team in May, was initially seen as the ideal candidate to guide the couple through their "next phase" of public life and philanthropy.
The timing of Kettler's departure is particularly challenging for the Sussexes, who are preparing for a four-day tour of Colombia. This high-profile international engagement would typically rely heavily on the expertise of a chief of staff, leaving the couple potentially understaffed at a critical moment.
Royal author Tom Quinn offered his perspective on the situation to The Mirror, stating, "In the years since Meghan and Harry married in 2018, they are estimated to have lost a staggering amount of key members of staff. One former employee told me the problem is that Meghan and Harry always assume that it is as easy to do something as it is to tell someone to do it. The couple hates being told something is just not possible."
Quinn further elaborated on the expectations placed on Kettler, saying, "Harry believed his new chief of staff could reverse his declining popularity in the States and transform him into an internationally important figure. Anything less than that would not be acceptable."
This latest staffing change adds to a growing list of departures that has reportedly reached 18 senior employees since the couple's wedding, with at least nine leaving since their move to the United States in 2020. Notable exits include senior communications secretary Katrina McKeever, assistant private secretary Amy Pickerill, and Meghan's personal assistant Melissa Toubati, all of whom left shortly after the royal wedding.
The high turnover rate has fueled speculation about the working environment within the Sussexes' organization. A former staffer, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, provided a stark assessment: "What may be most telling is that the entire time I worked there, I don't think I heard a single current or former employee on their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance."
Adding to the complexity of the situation are past allegations of bullying, which surfaced in 2021 just before the couple's high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey. While Meghan's team vehemently denied these claims, characterizing them as a "smear campaign," the issue has continued to cast a shadow over discussions of their staff management.
Prince Harry addressed some of these concerns in his memoir "Spare," offering a nuanced perspective on the tensions within their staff. He wrote, "Nerves were shattering, people were sniping. In such a climate there was no such thing as constructive criticism. All feedback was seen as an affront, an insult. More than once a staff member slumped across their desk and wept."
The staffing challenges come at a time when the Sussexes are attempting to establish themselves as global philanthropists and content creators. Their Archewell Foundation has launched initiatives like The Parent Network, aimed at providing support for parents dealing with children harmed by social media. However, the recurring staff turnover has the potential to undermine these efforts and distract from their core mission.
Industry experts suggest that the high-pressure environment of working for such prominent public figures, combined with the unique challenges of managing a post-royal brand, may contribute to the staffing instability. The couple's desire to maintain control over their narrative and public image, while also pursuing ambitious philanthropic and entertainment projects, creates a complex work environment that may not suit all professionals.
As the Sussexes prepare for their Colombia tour and continue to navigate their post-royal careers, the ability to build and maintain a stable, effective team will be crucial to their success. The recurring staffing issues present not only a logistical challenge but also a potential public relations hurdle, as each departure inevitably leads to speculation and scrutiny.