Josh Kettler, the newly appointed Chief of Staff for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has unexpectedly stepped down from his position, just as the couple was preparing for their upcoming tour of Colombia.
This abrupt departure, occurring only a few months after Kettler assumed the role, has sparked widespread speculation about the challenges of working within the Sussexes' team and the circumstances leading to his exit. When Prince Harry selected Josh Kettler as his Chief of Staff earlier this year, there were high expectations surrounding the appointment.
Kettler was seen as the ideal candidate to guide the Duke through the next chapter of his life. However, in a surprising twist, Kettler has vacated his post after a mere three-month tenure. Sources in California confirmed to the Daily Mail that Kettler is no longer employed by the Sussexes, leaving many to wonder what might have prompted such a sudden and unexpected departure.
The timing of Kettler's exit is particularly problematic for the Sussexes, who are on the brink of embarking on a quasi-royal tour of Colombia. This visit follows several recent high-profile engagements, including a notable appearance in London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. During that event in May, Kettler was by Prince Harry's side as they entered St. Paul's Cathedral for an anniversary service. He also played a crucial role in the three-day tour of Nigeria later that month, where he was involved in meetings with government officials. These trips were expected to be just the beginning of Kettler's contributions to the Sussexes' international engagements.
Kettler's brief tenure as Chief of Staff highlights a recurring issue for the Sussexes: a high turnover rate among their staff. Since their marriage in 2018, at least 18 staff members have left their employment, with nine or more departures occurring after their move to California in 2020. One former staff member remarked, "During my entire time there, I don't think I heard a single current or former employee say that they'd take the job again if given the chance." This suggests that working for the Sussexes presents significant challenges, even for individuals who have previously excelled in demanding roles within high-performance environments.
Before joining the Sussexes, Kettler worked for Cognin, a company specializing in medical equipment. His departure comes at a time when Meghan Markle has also faced difficulties in staffing her ventures. The Daily Mail diary reported in April that Meghan had struggled to find a Chief Executive Officer for her new cooking and lifestyle business, American Riviera Orchard, despite interviewing several candidates. Meghan hopes to turn this brand, which focuses on home, garden, food, and lifestyle wares, into a lucrative venture.
Speculation is rampant about whether Kettler might defy his non-disclosure agreement to reveal the truth behind his abrupt exit. His departure, coming just before the planned Colombia trip and after accompanying the Sussexes on the Nigerian tour, suggests that his input may not have been fully valued. According to reports, Kettler questioned the meaningful impact he could have in his role, which seems justified given the challenging environment. Instead of being part of a dynamic team with a clear mission, he found himself in a situation where the focus seemed to be more on individual interests than on creating a broader positive impact.
Skepticism about the value of the Sussexes' endeavors, coupled with concerns that their only outcomes will be trivial events and immature responses, adds to the complexity of the situation. It's hard to imagine leaving a job so quickly within three months unless the circumstances were truly intolerable. Typically, it takes a couple of months to acclimate and find one's rhythm in a new position. This abrupt exit hints at a highly dysfunctional environment from the start. Departing just as the Sussexes gear up for another important tour, precisely when his guidance would have been most critical, indicates that something significant went awry.
