It's shaping up to be a difficult year for Meghan and Harry! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will have to start the year without two key members of their staff. Meredith Maines, the Sussexes' communications director, and James Holt, who headed Archewell, resigned just days apart, after Christmas. Both had announced their intention to pursue other opportunities, a move that has left some royal observers skeptical.
As reported by the Mirror, James Holt was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's head of public relations from 2019 to 2021. He then immersed himself in the Sussexes' charitable and philanthropic projects, starting in 2020. Meredith Maines, on the other hand, only held her position as communications director for 10 months. This departure is the one that raises the most questions, according to the former BBC royal correspondent.
Meghan and Harry: Is there something wrong with their staff?
Speaking to the Mirror, Jennie Bond shared her thoughts on Meghan and Harry's staff turnover rate. According to her, "there is clearly something wrong." "To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: 'Losing a key member of one's team can be considered a misfortune; “Losing two of them is negligent,” she said, adding, “One can’t help but wonder why two key members of Harry and Meghan’s team decided to resign so quickly. And why is their staff turnover rate so high?”
In her remarks, the royal expert focused particularly on Meredith Maines’ departure. According to her, James Holt’s departure was quite sensible and normal. “He worked there for over six years, which is a long time in this industry. I’m inclined to believe he wants to spend more time with his family in London,” she explained.
Meghan and Harry: A departure that raises questions?
Referring to Meredith Maines’ departure, the royal expert addressed the rumors surrounding Meghan and Harry. “I found the couple’s reaction to her resignation rather cold, and it confirmed my suspicions about the deterioration of their professional relationship,” she continued. According to these rumors, some members of the staff of Archie and Lilibet's parents reportedly needed psychological support after working for the Sussexes.
According to the media outlet, a former employee even omitted to mention her professional experience at Archewell on her LinkedIn profile. "There are, of course, all sorts of rumors that Meghan is incredibly demanding and difficult to work with. I don't know if that's true, but this high staff turnover rate is, to say the least, quite strange," added Jennie Bond.
