The ongoing saga of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's management issues continues to captivate the public, with each new development proving to be as dramatic as ever.
According to a revealing report by InTouch Magazine, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have earned a notorious reputation as some of the most demanding and difficult employers in the business world. Their latest venture, American Riviera Orchard, is reportedly on the brink of collapse, primarily due to a mass exodus of high-level staff members who could no longer tolerate the allegedly toxic work environment.
The most recent departure is Josh Kettler, chief of staff for the Sussexes’ beverage brand. Kettler's exit came just days before he was supposed to accompany Meghan and Harry on an extravagant tour of Colombia. His resignation after only three months in the role set a new record for the short tenure of executives within the Sussexes’ enterprise. An anonymous insider revealed that working for Meghan and Harry is often described as a "nightmare," citing the couple’s incredibly demanding nature as the reason for nearly 20 staff members leaving the organization — an unusually high number, even for a startup.
Meghan’s latest lifestyle brand, which launched with much fanfare and high expectations, has also become embroiled in controversy. The launch included flashy public relations campaigns, such as sending homemade strawberry jam and dog biscuits to select friends, and teasing the release of a rosé wine. However, despite these grand gestures, the project is now floundering. Reports indicate that everything has come to a standstill. Although Meghan has filmed a cooking and gardening show for Netflix, no air date has been announced, leaving the future of the show in limbo.
This isn’t the first time Meghan has faced criticism for her leadership style. During her short tenure as a working royal, she was accused of bullying, allegations she dismissed as part of a smear campaign. While Queen Elizabeth initiated a formal investigation into these claims, the findings remain undisclosed. Nonetheless, many insiders believe Meghan's refusal to heed advice and her high-handed approach contributed to a toxic workplace — a pattern that appears to be continuing.
Royal insiders are far from shy in their criticism. They point to Meghan's troubled relationships with both family and friends as further evidence of her difficult personality. Meghan has famously cut ties with her father after his heart attack, accused the Royal Family of racism, and has a reputation for ghosting friends once they’ve served their purpose. The high turnover of staff speaks volumes. Several former employees have even formed what they call the "Sussex Survivor Club," proudly claiming their escape from the tumultuous work environment under Meghan and Harry’s leadership.
One notable example is Samantha Cohen, a senior royal aide and trusted confidante of Queen Elizabeth for over 20 years. Cohen was reportedly forced to stay on longer than she intended because no suitable replacement could be found. Another former staff member lamented that, during their time working for the Sussexes, no current or past employee would willingly take the job again if given the choice.
Despite Meghan and Harry’s ongoing efforts to recruit top-tier PR professionals and highly skilled staff, their inability to retain team members reveals a significant flaw in their leadership approach. As one insider put it, “Meghan doesn’t listen to anyone because she believes she knows best — it’s a recipe for business disaster.” Ultimately, the Sussexes may need guidance, but unless they are willing to listen and adapt, even the best hires are unlikely to stay. And from all accounts, taking advice is not one of Meghan’s strong suits.
