Introduction

Prince Harry's challenges continue to mount as yet another key staff member has stepped down from his African charity, Sentebale. The organization, which Harry co-founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, has experienced a significant shake-up, highlighted by the recent resignation of Richard Miller, who served as CEO for five years.

Resignation and Rumors

Miller's departure comes in the wake of swirling rumors regarding Harry's marriage to Meghan Markle. Speculation about the couple potentially separating has intensified, especially as both have made solo public appearances, leading many to speculate about a possible "professional split" in their collaborations.

Harry's Response to Rumors

During a recent event in New York, Harry candidly addressed the persistent rumors of their alleged divorce, humorously noting that they have "apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well." He expressed his resilience against such scrutiny, saying, “I just ignore it,” and felt empathy for the online trolls who perpetuate such narratives.

New Interim Leadership

In light of Miller’s resignation, Sentebale has appointed Carmel Gaillard as interim executive director, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a joint statement, Harry and Prince Seeiso emphasized the organization's dedication to local leadership: “This shift reflects our continued commitment to being guided by voices from within the region we serve.” They expressed gratitude toward Miller, who stated that this transition was essential for Sentebale to further solidify its leadership role in the region.

Staff Turnover Trend

Miller isn’t the only recent departure from Sentebale. Just a month prior, close associate Andrew Tucker—a figure Harry affectionately referred to as "Tucks"—also stepped down from his senior position. Adding to the wave of departures, Baroness Chalker resigned from her role as overseas development minister last month.

This trend of staff turnover has been noted in recent years surrounding Harry and Meghan, who have garnered a reputation for difficulty in retaining employees as they navigate their charitable initiatives and entertainment ventures outside of royal duties. In August, Harry’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, departed after just three months, a situation attributed to a mutual lack of fit.

Post-Royal Staff Changes

Since their marriage in May 2018, Harry and Meghan have seen a flurry of staff changes. Notably, they lost senior figures like communications secretary Katrina McKeever and Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati, among others. Samantha Cohen, their private secretary who had served Queen Elizabeth II, likened her experience to “working with teenagers” and reflected on the challenges of finding replacements.

Post-royal life has also seen a mass exit of staff members from their new initiatives. Sara Latham, director of communications, left Archewell after they stepped down from royal duties in 2020. Chief of staff Catherine St Laurent lasted only 11 months before transitioning away, while global press secretary Toya Holness departed shortly after amidst claims of overwhelming responsibilities.

Last December, Mandana Dayani resigned as president of Archewell after 18 months, clarifying that the move was part of a shift in leadership, not personal discord. Recently, marketing head Fara Taylor also exited the organization as part of the couple’s efforts to streamline operations.

Conclusion

As the Sussexes continue to promote their charitable endeavors and manage their public image, the ongoing turnover in their staff raises questions about the sustainability of their ventures. Will these departures impact their future initiatives? Only time will tell, but the challenges ahead may be greater than anticipated.