Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have picked their new chief of staff and she used to work for Bill and Melinda Gates' philanthropic venture. Catherine St-Laurent will work as the Sussexes executive director for a new non-profit enterprise.
According to Page Six, St-Laurent emailed friends and colleagues that she's moving on to "a new chapter" nine years after closely working with the Gates Foundation and its Pivotal Ventures.
The chief of staff said that she will start working with Meghan and Prince Harry beginning next week as they create a new non-profit. St-Laurent also said that she is thrilled to support the Sussexes as they realize their vision and goals.
Prince Harry and Meghan, however, are not opening a new traditional foundation. Sources said that they will be changing their ways if giving back and affecting change in the community.
The announcement comes as Prince Harry and Meghan left Canada to start their new life in Los Angeles with their son, Archie Harrison. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staying in a secluded compound and haven't gone out due to the coronavirus threat, per People. They arrived in California through a private jet and were safely in Los Angeles hours before President Donald Trump issued a lockdown.
St-Laurent is a native of Montreal, Canada and may have met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex through their common friends. Meghan's best friend, Jessica Mulroney, is daughter-in-law of the former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The Sussexes are also good friends with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie.
During her work with the Gates, St-Laurent was instrumental in the launch of Family Planning 20-20, which made contraceptives available to 120 million women around the world.
Prince Harry and Meghan will officially end their senior royal roles on March 31. The couple will work as a private entity to earn their own income outside of the Sovereign Grant extended to the working members of the royal family.
It is believed, however, that Prince Charles will support Prince Harry and Meghan financially as they venture on their own, outside of the royal protection. The Prince of Wales will reportedly pay for the lifestyle of the Sussexes for their first year as non-senior royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said that they also like to be on their own to avoid the media spotlight that comes with being royal public servants. However, Queen Elizabeth told Prince Harry that he and Meghan may return to their former life anytime they want.
