Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again in the spotlight for their persistent difficulty in retaining senior staff members, with their latest loss being Chief of Staff Josh Kettler, who resigned just three months after taking on the role. Kettler, who joined the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May, had been hired on a trial basis to guide the couple through their "next phase," but the relationship quickly unraveled.
According to sources, the departure was a mutual decision, with both parties agreeing that it "wasn't the right fit." Nevertheless, the timing of Kettler's exit is disastrous, as it comes just days before the couple is set to embark on a high-profile tour of Colombia.
Royal author Tom Quinn, an expert on the inner workings of the royal family, was not surprised by the departure. "In the years since Meghan and Harry married in 2018, they are estimated to have lost a staggering number of key members of staff," Quinn told The Mirror. "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."
Kettler's departure is a significant blow to the Sussexes, who have been struggling to maintain a stable team. The couple's office has seen a revolving door of employees, with at least 18 senior staff members quitting since their royal wedding in 2018. This high turnover rate has led to growing concerns that the couple may be too demanding and have unrealistic expectations for their staff.
"Josh Kettler was seen as having the golden touch," Quinn added. "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."
Kettler's exit also underscores the broader challenges that Harry and Meghan face as they navigate life outside the royal family. Since moving to the United States in 2020, the couple has struggled to build and maintain a cohesive team. Their decision to step down as senior royals and relocate across the Atlantic has brought new opportunities but also significant challenges, particularly in managing their public image and expanding their brand.
The timing of Kettler's departure is particularly problematic given the couple's upcoming tour of Colombia, where they are set to engage in a series of high-profile activities. The tour, which is at the invitation of Colombia's Vice President Francia Marquez, will see the couple visiting the capital Bogota and the coastal regions of Cartagena and Cali. The itinerary includes meetings with young people and youth leaders, with a focus on safeguarding children in both online and physical spaces.
This tour comes on the heels of their recent trip to Nigeria in May, which marked their second major international engagement since stepping down from their royal duties. While the Nigeria tour was seen as a success, the loss of key staff members like Kettler raises questions about the couple's ability to sustain their momentum and effectively manage their growing responsibilities.
Quinn believes that Kettler's departure could have broader implications for the Sussexes, particularly as word spreads about the difficulties of working for them. "What makes Kettler's departure really embarrassing for the royal couple is that word is beginning to get around, and one or two people who have been approached by them have turned down the chance to work for them," he said.
The ongoing staff exodus is not just a logistical challenge for Harry and Meghan; it also poses a reputational risk. As more staff members leave, the couple may find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain top talent, which could hinder their efforts to build a lasting legacy outside the royal family.
In the meantime, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to press forward with their initiatives, including their recent launch of The Parent Network, an initiative aimed at providing parents with a safe and free-to-access support network to help those whose children have been harmed by social media. As they prepare for their Colombian tour, all eyes will be on how they manage without a chief of staff and whether they can maintain the level of professionalism and effectiveness that their high-profile roles demand.
The question now is whether the Sussexes can overcome their staffing woes and stabilize their team, or if this latest departure is a sign of deeper issues that could continue to haunt them in the years to come.
