Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has faced a challenging week dealing with negative coverage from the American media. An ex-staffer lambasted her as “Duchess Difficult” and alleged her capability to bring colleagues to tears.
Despite serious accusations of a toxic work culture reported to the Hollywood Reporter, several ex-employees of the Royal couple have unexpectedly come forward in their defence. After stories circulated about high-drama departures from Harry and Meghan’s team, these aides are now sharing experiences of the royals’ kind-heartedness towards staff members.
Adding his voice to rebut the disparaging “Duchess Difficult” label is Prince Harry’s ex-chief of staff Josh Kettler. He made headlines for mysteriously quitting right before Harry and Meghan’s high-profile visit to Colombia but has now spoken out about his tenure with the Duke to US Weekly.
Defending his former employers, Kettler characterised them as “dedicated and hardworking.”
Furthermore, he recounted how he was “warmly welcomed” upon joining Harry and Meghan’s service. Another past staffer, Ben Browning, previously the head of content at Archewell Productions and instrumental in their high-profile Netflix documentary, reiterated Kettler’s sentiments, reports the Mirror.
The Mail has reported that amid a flurry of staff departures, insiders at the Duke and Duchess’s charitable company have risen to their defence. Browning, who left before his contract concluded, described the working environment as “positive and supportive,” Ashley Hansen, currently holding the role of ‘Global Press Secretary’, joined the Sussexes’ passionate defence squad, countering allegations portraying Meghan as a demanding boss, including references to her allegedly being a “dictator in high heels.”
Hansen sang high praises for Harry and Meghan, recounting how they took care of her during her surgery with an almost parental concern, providing flowers and gifts to aid her recovery. Echoed by statements in various press outlets, she extolled the couples generosity, detailing that not only do Harry and Meghan distribute their Royal childrens outgrown clothes to workers, but they also send thoughtful “care packages.”
Moreover, in a heartwarming revelation, the press secretary shared: “Meghan would personally reach out to my husband daily to make sure that we both were OK and had support. It meant so much to him and even more to me. You don’t realise how much that kind of kindness and thought means until you need it.”
As Harry and Meghan encounter public scrutiny and deal with stories of high-profile resignations, unnamed sources also disclosed that new pet owners within the organisation were surprised with luxury dog treats and collars, while others received “unused car seats and baby items they no longer need.”
An employee of the Duke and Duchess has raised eyebrows about the state of their pantry, revealing that Harry and Meghan often gift food and flowers to staff visiting their California home.
Predictably, they described them as the “best bosses”, adding: “Whenever staff goes to their house, they leave with a basket with fresh flowers, fresh fruit, fresh eggs.”
