Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘extremely loyal staff’ are likely to feel ‘let down’ after being sacked amid the couple’s ‘poorly-managed’ departure from public life, royal expert claims
- Katie Nicholl said Prince Harry and Meghan’s ‘loyal staff’ will feel ‘let down’
- Added it was clear indication they won’t split time between the UK and Canada
- Said whole operation was handled poorly as team had only been going for a year
The ‘extremely loyal’ members of staff that were let go by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are likely to feel ‘let down,’ according to a royal commentator.
The Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 38, axed 15 staff and closed their Buckingham Palace office in the surest sign yet that the couple and their son Archie are unlikely ever to return to the UK to live.
‘Of course there is the possibility that Harry and Meghan will have had no choice in all of this, given their decision to step away from royal duties, but their staff have been extremely loyal, so it’s likely they will feel let down,’ royal commentator Katie Nicholl said, speaking to OK! Magazine.
She went on to explain that Prince Harry only set up his own team last year, before pointing out the ‘whole operation has been very poorly managed.’
Royal Watcher Katie Nicholl told OK Magazine that the 15 members of staff that were made redundant by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were likely to feel ‘let down’ by the royals. Pictured leaving Canada House on January 7
Project manager to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Clara Loughran née Madden, pictured at Trinity College during the Royal visit to Dublin, Irelan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced on January 8 they would be stepping back as ‘senior royals’ and will split their lives between Canada and the UK.
However, Katie says their decision to make their staff redundant is the ‘clearest indication yet’ that a UK return is not on the cards.
‘At best, I think it makes Harry and Meghan disingenuous […] by getting rid of their entire team, it’s clear their future is in North America,’ Nicholl said.
She added the timing was particularly awkward, with the couple’s two last engagements as senior royals just around the corner, but noted these outings were just a ‘token gesture.’
David Watkins, social media advisor to Britain’s Harry and Meghan, pictured walking through the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London on 16 January, 2020
Head of communications, Sara Latham during a visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Canada House on 7 January, 2020
‘In all likelihood, they will make the appearances, then get straight back on a plane and we won’t see them in the UK again for the foreseeable future,’ she added.
The couple are still due to attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7 and the Commonwealth service on March 9.
Among the staff that have been let go are their communications chief Sara Latham, assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney and David Watkins, the head of their social media.
Also getting the chop is Clara Loughran, who handed Meghan her bouquet on their wedding day on May 19, 2018.
Marnie Gaffney from London, is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in an undated photograph. Deputy, assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney, is understood to be leaving