Harry and Meghan sack all 15 UK staff members, close palace office: Report
LONDON: Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were reportedly sacking all of their 15 staff members in the country and also closing their Buckingham Palace office as part of the couple’s transition away from royal life, it was revealed on Friday.
According to a news report, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex broke the news to the staff members in person last month following the announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals.
While one or two may be absorbed back into the royal household, most were now negotiating redundancy packages, the report added. However, the Buckingham Palace on Thursday night said it did not comment on staffing matters but according to the report, it was understood senior royals, including the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William were aware of the office closure and redundancies.
“Given their decision to step back, an office at Buckingham Palace is no longer needed. While the details are still being finalised and efforts are being made to redeploy people within the royal household, unfortunately there will be some redundancies,” a source told the new reports.
“The Duke and Duchess have a small team, less than 15 people. The team are very loyal to the Sussexes and understand and respect the decision they have taken,” the source added. Among those to lose their jobs were the couple’s newly appointed private secretary, Fiona Mcilwham, their hugely experienced communications chief Sara Latham and Prince Harry’s long-standing programme co-ordinator Clara Loughran.