Meghan’s female bodyguard quits after six months

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “saddened” yesterday after Meghan’s police bodyguard quit only a few months into the job.

Her departure is the latest in a series of resignations among staff working for the royal couple, fuelling speculation that the former actress has proved a difficult employer.

The police officer, an inspector in charge of the team handling Meghan’s protection, is understood to have only been in the role for around six months and has been closely involved in overseeing security arrangements at their new official residence, Frogmore Cottage at Windsor.

The couple are expected to move in time for the arrival of their baby, due in the spring, after refurbishment work – set to cost the taxpayer between £2million and £3million – is completed.

Shadowed

At least one source yesterday was suggesting that the change from being based at Kensington Palace, where Harry and Meghan currently live, to Windsor was behind the police officer’s decision to quit.

There were also claims that part of the reason for the bodyguard’s departure is that Meghan, 37, has found it hard to adjust to the restrictions of royal life, including being shadowed everywhere by a personal protection officer.

Even those born into the Royal Family can find it difficult at times – bodyguards need to be told even if they just want to nip out somewhere. Restaurants need to be checked for emergency exits and discreet tables booked.

Security considerations can cause tensions when the royal wants to do

something spontaneous. However, the Daily Express understands that the inspector – who has not been named for security reasons – gets on well with Meghan.

She is said to be leaving not only her protection job but the Metropolitan Police as a whole, mainly for reasons to do with her private life.

She was at the Kensington Palace office Christmas party and has told colleagues she is sad to be leaving

her job working for Meghan, Express understands.

Harry and Meghan have also appeared upset to be losing her and are said to be “saddened” by it.

Friends have pointed out that if police bodyguards do have problems with their bosses, they tend to be moved to other duties rather than leave the force altogether.

One factor may be the relocation of the job to Windsor. The move may the be a more difficult commute for some of the protection team and lead to more onerous shift patterns.

But Scotland Yard bodyguards are used to being away from home for blocks of time. Harry, 34, and Meghan already spend much of their time at a £1.4million rented farmhouse in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.

Those protecting the Queen spend up to half of the year at Balmoral, Sandringham or Windsor. As a champion of women’s empowerment, Meghan is expected to want another woman to head up her security team.

Most female members of the Royal Family, including the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, have a female police bodyguard in their team.

Scotland Yard and Kensington Palace declined to comment yesterday.