The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are facing renewed questions about their working environment after the sudden departure of two crucial aides in the days following Christmas. This latest exit marks the couple's 11th publicist change in just five years, raising significant concerns about their ability to retain long-term staff.
A Double Blow for the Sussex Operation
Chief communications officer Meredith Maines and James Holt, the head of their Archewell organisation, announced their resignations in quick succession. Holt, who had been a fixture since 2019, initially served as their PR boss before transitioning to oversee their charitable work after the couple stepped back from royal duties. Maines, however, leaves after a brief tenure of only ten months.
The timing and frequency of these departions have not gone unnoticed. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond offered a pointed observation to the Mirror, paraphrasing Oscar Wilde: “To lose one (of your key members of staff) may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” She highlighted the puzzlingly high staff turnover, stating, “Something definitely seems wrong.”
Unravelling the Mystery Behind the Resignations
While Bond suggested Holt's departure after six years could be a natural desire for change and more family time in London, she indicated the exit of Meredith Maines was more enigmatic. “She was brought in as something of a hotshot and has only been with the Sussexes for a year,” Bond noted, adding that the couple's “decidedly cool” response to Maines's resignation confirmed suspicions of a “rather troubled” professional relationship.
These departures have reignited long-standing rumours about the couple's reputed demanding work environment, including past claims that former aides required counselling—allegations Harry and Meghan have consistently and vehemently denied. Bond questioned the underlying cause, asking, “Why can’t Harry and Meghan command lasting loyalty from their staff?”
A 'Confused' Brand at the Heart of the Problem?
According to Jennie Bond, a fundamental issue may lie in the Sussexes' unclear public strategy. “I do think that any publicist for Harry and Meghan has a complex job. Their ‘brand’ such as it is, seems confused,” she explained. Bond articulated the central dilemma facing any communications professional working for them: “Are they philanthropists or celebrities or influencers or TV producers or Royals craving privacy? Do they want to be on the front pages or do they want to be left alone? What exactly is a publicist employed to publicise?”
This perceived lack of direction even led Bond to question the scale of their operation: “I’m not really sure why they need so many staff in the first place. Why can’t they run their lives and their projects with just one or two helpers?”
With their team now diminished, the future for the Sussexes in 2026 appears uncertain. Bond concluded by expressing a hope for their personal happiness in California, but the professional outlook remains clouded by this latest staff exodus and the persistent questions it raises about stability and vision within their commercial and philanthropic ventures.
