Exclusive
ROYAL SNUB
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 15 sacked aides ‘unlikely to be given new royal jobs’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle's aides are unlikely to be given new royal jobs after they were dramatically sacked, it was claimed today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex fired all 15 members of their "very loyal" team in a sign they plan never to return to Britain after quitting as royals.
It is believed that while a couple of their team may find work in the royal household, the bulk will now be negotiating their redundancy packages in a "clean break".
A source today told The Sun Online today: "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.
"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."
They added: "There are a lot of cliques that exist within the teams who work as advisers for the Royals. You are either in or you are out and Harry and Meghan’s team were never really part of that circle."
Those being laid off are in the process of sorting out exit-packages.
It is believed Prince Harry has asked to be kept informed of the process and hopes to speak personally to many of those affected before the end of the month.
Among those reportedly axed were communications chief Sara Latham - who previously worked for the Obamas, and newly appointed private secretary Fiona Mcilwham.
Assistant communications secretary Marnie Gaffney is also understood to be leaving.
The UK redundancies could be wrapped up by the time he and Meghan finish their transition from Royal life in mid to late March.
ROYAL TEAM SACKED
The source said: "Harry was very proud of the team he had put together and everyone loved working for him and Meghan.
"Despite all the negative stories about the way Meghan can operate they were a really exciting and engaging couple to be around and everyone was excited about the jobs they were doing.
"Nobody particularly wants to leave - but life has to go on.”
The other press officer to reportedly lose her job is Julie Burley, who worked for Harry, William and Kate on their Heads Together mental health campaign.
Harry’s programme coordinator Clara Loughran, who was asked to hand Meghan her bouquet on her wedding day, will lose her position, it's reported.
And social media expert David Watkins — who was poached from Burberry in August — will also go.
Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, moved to Canada in January after revealing they wanted to become "financially independent" from the Royal Family.
The move comes after Meghan allegedly hired a US-team of agents and publicists that worked with her during her days as an actress.
MOST READ IN NEWS
It was recently claimed the couple's royal aides felt undermined by the celeb pals of Meghan and Harry.
A source said "loyal" staff had "done their best against a backdrop of multiple international advisers, publicists and high-profile friends" acting for Meghan and Harry.
The couple fled with baby Archie to Canada where they are currently holed up in an £11million mansion on Vancouver Island.
6
6
6
Sara Latham director of communications for Harry and Meghan is another high-profile staffer to be axed
6
6
6
Topics