Former staffers of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have shared diverging accounts of their experiences working for the couple, revealing a mixed picture of life behind the scenes with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Some former employees have described challenging moments working with the couple, while others recalled their time as meaningful and positive.
A former courtier who worked closely with the couple during their time in the UK told The Daily Beast that Meghan's difficult moments have been "amplified" following the couple's departure from royal duties in January 2020, a period that saw increasing scrutiny and negative headlines surrounding "Megxit." The source said, "There have been plenty of difficult royals over the years, and I do think that after the ill-feeling of Megxit, Meghan's bad moments were amplified and distorted and blown out of proportion."
However, the same insider admitted that there were times when the Duchess exhibited what they described as "very bad, even psycho moments." The former staffer recounted witnessing Meghan berating people both in person and over the phone. "I witnessed people being chewed up in person and over the phone and made to feel like s**t," they said. Still, they added, "It was an incredibly fraught time, and I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt. She has said herself she was suicidal at times."
The article also mentioned an incident where a florist working for Meghan allegedly faced a lengthy tirade after sharing a small detail about a bouquet they were arranging for her. Although Meghan's identity was not mentioned, the source claimed the florist vowed never to work with her again. "If you were working for her, you were often treated like a tradesman who could be treated like s**t," the source remarked.
Others who worked closely with Meghan before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 suggested that she had a challenging personality, with one former colleague labeling her a "classic narcissist." They stated that Meghan could be "lovely when things were going her way," but difficult to manage during stressful moments.
Despite these negative accounts, there were also testimonies from those who had a very different experience with the royal couple. Catherine St-Laurent, who served as the chief of staff to Meghan and Harry, shared her continued admiration for the pair. "The time I spent working with Prince Harry and Meghan was incredibly meaningful to me," she told Us Weekly, adding that she has remained close to them since leaving her role.
Josh Kettler, who served briefly as chief of staff for the Sussexes before departing after just three months, offered a similarly positive recollection. He noted that he was "warmly welcomed" by the couple and their team at Archewell, the nonprofit foundation established by Meghan and Harry. "They are dedicated and hardworking. It was impressive to witness," he said.
Reports of Meghan's alleged difficult behavior have made headlines in the past, with some sources dubbing her "Duchess Difficult" and claiming that her staff lived in fear. The Hollywood Reporter published a particularly scathing piece on the working conditions under the Sussexes, which prompted Archewell insiders to respond forcefully. One staffer, who remained unnamed, told GB News that the claims were fabrications: "These quotes were fabricated by someone lacking knowledge of our company," the source said.
The Sussexes have largely refrained from commenting on these controversies, and their office declined to respond to the latest round of allegations, according to The Daily Beast. Meghan herself has previously spoken openly about her struggles with mental health and the pressure she faced during her time as a senior royal, including in a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey where she admitted to having suicidal thoughts.
While the mixed reviews of working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex paint a complex picture of life with the couple, it is clear that emotions run high on both sides. Some see Meghan and Harry as demanding but passionate leaders, while others describe a more difficult environment, marked by moments of tension and stress.
