Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff quit after only 3 months
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, quit his position working for the couple after only three months because he had been hired on a trial basis, according to a new report.
The seasoned public relations professional’s decision to leave was “mutual,” People reported Monday, with “both sides agreeing it wasn’t the right fit.”
Kettler began his role with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a week before their three-day trip to Nigeria in May.
He also accompanied Harry on a trip to London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, which the royal founded.
Kettler is based in Santa Barbara, Calif. — where Harry, 39, Markle, 43, and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, currently live — and was previously chief of staff and head of strategic partnerships at the communication platform Cognixion. He also worked for the outdoor clothing brand Patagonia.
Kettler is the latest employee to part ways with the “Spare” author and the “Suits” alum since they quit their royal duties and relocated to the US in 2020.
One former staffer recently told the Daily Mail that during their time working for the Sussexes, they had not “heard a single current or former employee on their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance.”
The ex-employee 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.”
Kettler’s decision to step down from his position with Harry and Markle comes ahead of the couple’s four-day “quasi-royal tour” of Colombia.
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez announced earlier this month that the couple had “kindly accepted” her “invitation to visit our beautiful country.”
“As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country,” she said in a statement.
“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress. In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”
Harry and Markle will reportedly visit Cartagena, Cali and Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá.
