Real reason Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff quit after just three months

It has been reported that Prince Harry’s new chief of staff Josh Kettler has left his position with the Duke of Sussex after just three months in the job ahead of Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming tour to Colombia

Prince Harry (
Image: Getty Images for Project Healthy Minds)

Prince Harry’s new chief of staff has shockingly quit after just three months into the job – and the reason why has been revealed.

Josh Kettler, a seasoned public relations professional, started his role with the Duke of Sussex just before his and Meghan Markle’s three-day trip to Nigeria in May. He was also seen with Harry at St Paul’s Cathedral on his last trip to London when he attended a 10th-anniversary service for his Invictus Games. But Mr Kettler has left his post after he was reportedly hired to “guide him [Harry] through his next phase”. It is understood that Mr Kettler’s decision to leave was ‘mutual’ and that he was hired on a trial basis, with “both sides agreeing it wasn’t the right fit”.

Prince Harry’s former chief of staff Josh Kettler ( 
Image:
Getty Images for Invictus Games Foundation)

Harry at St Paul’s Cathedral in May ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Mr Kettler had been based in Santa Barbara, near to the Sussexes’ Montecito home and had previously been chief of staff and head of strategic partnerships at the communication platform Cognixion. He had also worked for outdoor clothing brand Patagonia.

Harry and Meghan have lost several employees since making the move to California, with one former staffer telling the publication: “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.

“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.”

News of Mr Kettler’s departure comes ahead of Harry and Meghan’s upcoming ‘royal-style’ tour to Colombia. The couple received an invitation to visit the South American nation from the country’s vice president Francia Marquez.

The couple will travel to the capital Bogota and the coastal areas of the country. Ms Marquez, a lawyer and human rights and environmental activist said in a statement: “During their trip, the duke and duchess will join me in visiting Bogota, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.

“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.”

The Sussexes’ trip to Colombia will be their second official tour of the year after they visited Nigeria in May taking part in a range of activities over three days. The Mirror has contacted Harry’s representatives for comment.