Fifteen staff members axed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘unlikely to be given royal jobs’.
In the surest sign yet that the couple and their son Archie are unlikely ever to return to the UK to live, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the small team in January they are closing their office in Buckingham Palace.
It is understood some of the staff may be able to find work in the royal household, but most will negotiate redundancy packages.
A source told The Sun Online: ‘Those who worked for Harry and Meghan were very much in their style, many of them were headhunted from highly successful jobs in the private sector.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry are pictured during a Creative Industries and Business Reception in Johannesburg, South-Africa on 2 October 2019
David Watkins, social media advisor to Britain’s Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, walks through in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in London on 16 January, 2020. David Watkins, poached from fashion house Burberry in August as the couple’s social media expert, is also out.
Marnie Gaffney from London, is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in an undated photograph. Deputy, assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney, is understood to be leaving
‘The idea that they could simply be moved into a Palace role isn’t going to work.
‘Many of them were attracted by the fact they were working for Harry and Meghan who liked to do things differently.’
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.
Harry and Meghan broke the news to their team in person in January following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals.
It is understood the Duke of Sussex has asked to be personally kept up to date with the redundancy negotiations, and hopes to speak to affected staff by the end of February.
Among those to lose their jobs are the couple’s newly appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham – although she is on secondment from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is likely to be found in a role in Whitehall – and their hugely experienced communications chief Sara Latham.
Projects manager to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Clara Loughran née Madden at Trinity College during the Royal visit to Dublin, Ireland. Harry’s long-standing programme co-ordinator Clara Loughran, who was so well regarded by the prince that she was asked to hand Meghan her bouquet in church on her wedding day, will go
Head of communications, Sara Latham during a visit by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to Canada House to meet with Janice Charette, High Commissioner in Canada to the UK as well as staff to thank them on 7 January, 2020
Harry’s long-standing programme co-ordinator Clara Loughran, who was so well regarded by the prince that she was asked to hand Meghan her bouquet in church on her wedding day, will go.
As well as Miss Latham – who previously worked for the Obamas and was Hillary Clinton’s senior campaign adviser – her deputy, assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney, is leaving.
A much-loved and long-serving member of Buckingham Palace press staff, she played a major role in supporting Harry on his military work and organised his and Meghan’s hugely successful official tours to Australia and Africa.
Friends said today Ms Gaffney was offered another role at Buckingham Palace, but had decided to accept the redundancy package offered.
A source said: ‘She had the option to go back to the Palace, and they wanted her to stay.
‘But she decided it was a natural ending after a decade with the royal household.
An image from Twitter shows royal aide to Harry and Meghan, Julie Burley. The other press officer to lose her job is Julie Burley, who worked for Harry, William and Kate on their successful mental health campaign Heads Together
Fiona McWilwham, Private Secretary to the Duchess of Sussex, is pictured in an undated photograph. Among those to lose their jobs are the couple’s newly appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham – although she is on secondment from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is likely to be found a role in Whitehall
‘She will receive her settlement and is looking forward to taking on some new and different challenges’
The Queen made her a member of the Royal Victorian Order because of her devoted service.
The other press officer to lose her job is Julie Burley, who worked for Harry, William and Kate on their successful mental health campaign Heads Together.
The assistant communications secretary was headed-hunted by Harry and Meghan and led the press team on his Invictus Games. She has also managed the media side of many of the couple’s domestic engagements and patronages.
David Watkins, poached from fashion house Burberry in August as the couple’s social media expert, is also out.