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Prince Harry & Meghan's Chief Of Staff's Resignation Raises Eyebrows Over Their Employee Retention

Home / Entertainment / Prince Harry & Meghan's Chief Of Staff's Resignation Raises Eyebrows Over Their Employee Retention

By Favour Adegoke on August 13, 2024 at 1:45 PM EDT
Updated on August 13, 2024 at 4:04 PM EDT

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new chief of staff, Josh Kettler, reportedly resigned, marking another staff departure for the Sussexes.

This recent development has left many questioning what is going on behind the scenes, which has caused the royal duo to lose employees over the years.

Josh Kettler was expected to join Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their upcoming four-day tour of Colombia, where security concerns have been raised due to potential risks.

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Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Chief Of Staff Abruptly Resigns Ahead Of Colombia Tour

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Attend Ripple Of Hope Gala Hilton Hotel, NY. 06 Dec 2022
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According to a source who spoke to Daily Mail, Kettler abruptly resigned after barely three months on the job.

The insider shared, "Josh Kettler is no longer working for them." Kettler, upon his employment, was touted as the best person to "guide" the Duke of Sussex "through his next phase," which makes his resignation more shocking to many.

Kettler's resignation is also considered a major setback to Harry and Meghan, as he was meant to join them on their upcoming trip to Colombia, which is set to begin this week.

In May, Kettler was spotted entering St. Paul's Cathedral alongside Harry on a visit to London to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games. Harry's uncle, Earl Spencer, also attended the anniversary service, but other members of the Royal Family were notably absent.

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Later that month, Kettler played a prominent role during the Sussexes' three-day visit to Nigeria, standing by Harry's side as he met with government officials in the West African nation.

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Josh Kettler's Resignation Highlights Ongoing Staff Retention Issues For Prince Harry And Meghan Markle

(L-R) Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton
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Kettler's sudden resignation underscores the ongoing challenges that Harry and Meghan have faced in retaining staff.

The couple has reportedly lost at least 18 staff members, with nine or more departing since their relocation to California in 2020.

A former staff member recently told the Daily Mail: "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."

The insider continued: "These aren't employees they had just found off the streets. Many of them are people who had previously excelled working for demanding bosses in high-performance companies and environments."

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This follows reports from April that Meghan has struggled to secure a chief executive officer for her new culinary and lifestyle venture, American Riviera Orchard, despite conducting multiple interviews.

The Duchess of Sussex reportedly has high hopes for the brand, which will center on home, garden, food, and lifestyle products, aiming for it to be a major success.

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Royal Fans Raise Questions Over The Couple's Chief of Staff's Resignation

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
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Since news of Kettler's resignation made headlines, royal fans and followers have taken to social media to weigh in on Harry and Meghan's perceived struggle with retaining employees.

One person wrote on X, "Since 2018, they've had such a high turnover of staff. They must be so difficult to work with. That has nothing to do with work ethic."

Another wondered, "[What the hell] is wrong with these two? No offense, wishing them well, but a few weeks ago, the CEO for Invictus stepped down, [and] now this."

A third person noted, "If they would not announce these ridiculous hirings, they would not suffer embarrassment when they invariably quit. They never learn."

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Set To Embark On A Trip To Colombia

Harry and Meghan attend Day Two of The Invictus GamesThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch the Athletics on Day Two of the Invictus Games
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On Thursday, Harry and Meghan will begin a four-day tour of Colombia. Their itinerary includes visits to the capital, Bogotá, the historic colonial city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, and Cali, where they will attend a cultural festival.

The couple was invited by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who said that the couple "have the exceptional opportunity to engage with elders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians... and illuminate Colombia's role as a beacon of culture and innovation."

Harry and Meghan's upcoming trip will mark their first official visit to Colombia together. They will represent their Archewell Foundation, which is particularly focused on promoting safer digital environments.

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In her statement, Márquez added: "During their visit, the Duke and Duchess, as well as the Archewell Foundation, will take part in a number of activities related to this important topic."

Security Concerns Raised Over Prince Harry And Meghan Markel's Colombia Trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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Harry and Meghan's four-day tour of Columbia has raised security concerns due to the potential risks involved. However, according to an insider, the couple will have "huge" security details during their visit.

The source told GB News that the couple "will be with the vice president, and she has a lot of security because there have been assassination attempts on her life."

However, the source also mentioned that "people are grumbling about why the Colombian taxpayer should pick up what will be huge security costs for what is essentially a public relations exercise for the Sussexes and for a government which desperately needs to deflect away from its failures."

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