‘Real reason’ Prince Harry’s chief of staff quit days before Colombia trip revealed
Here's why Kettler was brought in by the couple - and why he got the axe
INSIDERS have revealed the “real reason” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff quit days before the couple’s Colombia trip.
Josh Kettler has left his role as the couple’s fixer after only three months.
Veteran PR supremo Kettler had reportedly been brought in to “guide Harry through his next phase”.
Kettler was hired on a trial basis and left by mutual consent after both sides agreed he wasn’t right for the job, reports.
His departure comes as Harry and Meghan get ready to jet off to Colombia tomorrow.
Harry and Meghan’s latest tour is said to include trips to capital Bogotá, and Pacific regions Cartagena and Cali.
But it’s understood Kettler’s departure is not related to the upcoming trip.
Kettler joined Harry on his recent visit to London to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
He was pictured entering St Paul’s Cathedral with the Duke for the ceremony.
Kettler was also a key figure on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s three-day “tour” of Nigeria.
The pair are now set to tour Colombia after an invite from the country’s Vice President Francia Márquez.
Francia Márquez said: “I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country.
“The Duke and Duchess will join me in visiting Bogotá, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress.”
Francia Márquez added: “Their visit comes at a particularly significant time.
“It precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November.
“The Archewell Foundation, founded by The Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment.
“The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces.
“It will tackle issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.
“It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world.”
Last month, Prince Harry’s charity chief Dominic Reid quit his role as chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation.
Reid’s resignation came just days after Harry was blasted for choosing to accept the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The duke thanked Reid for his “dedication and leadership” in a heartfelt note after his resignation.
ROBERT JOBSON As Harry & Meghan’s chief aide moves on after three months, what has made 18 members of staff dramatically quit?
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are earning a reputation as tough task-masters.
It seems a notable number of their staff have struggled to meet the demands of their roles and have either walked or been pushed — by mutual consent, of course.
The latest departure in their revolving door of aides is chief of staff Josh Kettler, who has stepped down after just three months, citing a mutual agreement that the job was “not the right fit”.
The departure of the suave American, who bills himself as an “experienced executive accelerator, organiser and confidant” on his LinkedIn profile, is a little embarrassing for the needy couple as he was lauded on his arrival.
He had been extremely visible during his short tenure, notably spending three days with Harry at an Invictus Games event in Nigeria in May.
His departure also comes just ahead of the couple’s planned “royal” tour to Colombia, adding to the challenges they face in managing their public image and charitable endeavours since quitting the royals.
Of course, it is not the first time key staff members have walked away from the Sussexes.
An astonishing 18 members of staff have quit working for them in just a few years — nine since they moved to Montecito, California.
Many of their former Palace staff coined the term “Sussex Survivors’ Club” to describe themselves after they quit working for the couple.
Some even believed, only half-jokingly, they suffered a form of post-traumatic stress.
After the latest departure in California, one insider quipped: “Perhaps there should be a Montecito arm of the Sussex Survivors’ Club.”
This golden couple, who have tried to charm the world with their woke crusade, just do not seem to be able to hang on to staff.
But surely it can’t be their fault?
The evidence would suggest otherwise, with departures having come thick and fast.