Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘fire key members of staff to save some cash’
The couple have made headlines for their high staff turnover since moving to the U.S.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly let go of several key staff members in a bid to cut costs, sparking speculation about the future stability of their post-royal ventures.
According to Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex parted ways with six staffers in June, including their U.S.-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and U.K. press officer Charlie Gipson.
This shake-up is the latest in a long line of staffing changes since the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020. The decision, insiders say, was driven by financial concerns.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘fire staff members’
Speaking on Sky News Australia, commentator Louise Roberts remarked: “Despite the fact that they live in this huge mansion and got a big wad of cash from Spotify, Netflix and everything else, apparently they’re having to count the pennies.”
Louise added, “They’ve got rid of their comms team, which is just insane. You’d think they’d go first for the edible flower arranger. Surely their role is limited to an extent, whereas their comms person is rather critical.”
Royal commentator Caroline Di Russo echoed that sentiment, saying: “They’re going through [staff] like knickers.”
According to Page Six, the Sussexes have cycled through at least 25 employees in just four years. This figure reportedly doesn’t include recent exits that haven’t been made public.
The overhaul comes even after Meghan and Harry brought in Meredith Kendall Maines as their Chief Communications Officer earlier this year.
In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, Meredith confirmed the shift.
She said: “As the Duke and Duchess’s business and philanthropic interests grow, I have made the strategic decision to move toward a more traditional communications structure of specialist agency support.
“Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five time zones, will give international media and stakeholders better access, and critically, faster response times.”
Royal Insider have approached the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.
Harry and Meghan finances
Despite major deals with Netflix and Spotify bringing in tens of millions, not all of the couple’s projects have performed as hoped.
Harry & Meghan, their Netflix docuseries, drew strong viewership. However, other ventures like Heart of Invictus and Polo failed to make a splash. Reports now suggest Netflix is leaning toward offering them scaled-down “first-look” deals rather than expansive, multi-million-dollar packages. Meanwhile, Spotify pulled the plug on their deal in 2023 after just one season of Meghan’s podcast Archetypes.
According to royal insiders, the couple’s lavish lifestyle may be taking a financial toll.
They live in a $27 million mansion in Montecito, California. The couple reportedly took out a $9.5 million mortgage and pay nearly $300,000 annually in property taxes.
They are also believed to fund a large portion of their travel and security.
These costs include a reported $2 million yearly security bill. They are also liable for the legal fees linked to Prince Harry’s failed court case over U.K. police protection, which could cost him personally up to $1.9 million.
The couple’s Archewell Foundation and production companies also require continued operational funding.
However, sources close to the couple insist the shift toward an external communications agency is strategic, not solely financial.
Despite this, questions remain about the sustainability of the Sussexes’ empire.
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘three demands’ from King Charles after pleading for reconciliation
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