The Metropolitan Police bodyguard, who has now quit her role, is thought to be leaving the London force entirely
MEGHAN Markle's female bodyguard has quit after less than a year, it was revealed last night.
The cop, who has never been named for security reasons, is her third close aide to leave in a little over two months.
It comes weeks before Meghan and her husband Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are due to move into Frogmore Cottage in the grounds of Windsor Castle ahead of the birth of their first child.
The bodyguard, who is thought to hold the rank of inspector, was pictured leaping into action during a security scare in a market in Fiji in October.
She had replaced Sgt Bill Renshaw, Harry’s long-standing head of security, who retired after more than 30 years in the force.
But she has now quit after being in the job for only about six months, according to The Sunday Times.
The couple’s private secretary Samantha Cohen, 49, was the first to jump ship when she announced she was going in November.
Known as Samantha the Panther, the tough Aussie had spent 17 years working for the Royal Family and was previously the Queen’s assistant private secretary and Press spokesperson.
She went to work for Meghan on a temporary basis before her wedding.
One of her key roles was said to be training Meghan in royal etiquette. It is thought the Duchess wanted to hire her full-time but she declined.
In December, Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Touabti also announced she was quitting after just six months.
The French PA, 39, had previously worked for Robbie Williams but was said to be leaving the Royal household after reportedly “putting up with a lot”. Melissa had to handle the controversial build-up to the nuptials, as Meghan’s dad Thomas spoke publicly of not being invited.
When she quit, a Kensington Palace official said in tribute: “Melissa played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Wedding and will be missed by everyone in the Royal Household.”
The Metropolitan Police bodyguard who has now quit is thought to be leaving the London force entirely. Colleagues reportedly described her as “brilliant”.
A Scotland Yard source said of Meghan: “Unlike someone who has grown up in the Royal Family and has been used to close protection from an early age, having it can be quite constraining.
“Even though she was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely.
“But in her current role she can’t go anywhere without her protection team and that’s a massive constraining force on an individual like her.”
