The Sussex Empire Crumbles: 11 Publicists Gone in 5 Years, Archewell Downsized to Bare Bones, and Whispers of a ‘Toxic’ Workplace Reach Boiling Point**
In a bombshell revelation that’s rocking Montecito to its core, sources close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reveal that the Duke of Sussex has become the Duchess’s **last standing employee** – the only one who hasn’t jumped ship from their rapidly shrinking empire. But with Archewell Philanthropies now reportedly operating with just a skeleton crew after a brutal wave of resignations and layoffs, royal watchers are asking: How much longer can Harry hold on before he follows the exodus? The latest casualty? Meredith Maines, Meghan and Harry’s chief communications officer, who abruptly stepped down just days ago after less than a year on the job – marking her as the **11th publicist** to flee the Sussexes in a mere five years. “At a certain point, it’s time to go,” a source close to Maines told reporters, hinting at mounting frustrations behind the scenes.
This departure comes hot on the heels of Archewell’s dramatic restructuring, where the foundation – rebranded from Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies in a bid to “broaden global efforts” – slashed staff amid plunging donations and skyrocketing expenses. Reports indicate three employees were let go just before the holidays, leaving the organization down to a rumored **two staffers**. With Harry actively involved in day-to-day operations, insiders claim he’s effectively shouldering the load alongside Meghan, making him the couple’s most loyal – and perhaps most overburdened – “employee.”
A Pattern of Chaos: The Sussex Staff Exodus Exposed Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California, Harry and Meghan have faced relentless scrutiny over their skyrocketing staff turnover. What started as whispers of a demanding work environment has exploded into a full-blown crisis, with former employees painting a picture of an unforgiving workplace. – **11 publicists in 5 years**:
Maines is just the latest in a long line, following exits like global press secretary Ashley Hansen (who left after two years to start her own firm) and summer departures of three comms staffers, including UK-based Charlie Gipson and California-based Kyle Boulia. – **Chief of staff drama**: Earlier shocks included Josh Kettler, who quit after only three months in 2024, reportedly leaving the couple “high and dry” ahead of international trips. – **Archewell layoffs**: As the foundation grappled with $5.1 million in expenses against just $2.1 million in donations in 2024, “inevitable redundancies” hit junior roles hard, with sources saying the charity was forced to downsize because costs were spiraling out of control. Critics point to longstanding allegations of a “toxic” atmosphere.
Former staffers have described Meghan as a “dictator in high heels,” prone to early-morning emails, micromanaging, and sudden shifts from warm praise to icy withdrawal. One insider claimed employees were left feeling “exposed and unsupported,” with some reportedly seeking therapy after their stints. “You’re praised until something goes wrong – then you’re quietly pushed out,” a source revealed. The tipping point for Maines? Reportedly, a high-profile PR fiasco involving deleted photos from Kris Jenner’s star-studded 70th birthday bash in November, where Harry and Meghan rubbed shoulders with A-listers like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé. The drama, combined with a year of “crisis management,” proved the “final straw.”
#### Harry’s Lonely Vigil: Will He Be Next to Walk? As Archewell slimmed down, leadership consolidated under remaining figures like UK communications director Liam Maguire, who stepped up to handle both Harry and Meghan’s press. But with the couple now personally overseeing much of the operation, Prince Harry – once a senior royal with a full palace team – finds himself in an unprecedented role: Meghan’s de facto right-hand man, and potentially her only one.
Sources say the strain is showing. Harry’s public appearances have dwindled, and amid reports of a “brutal 2025” filled with PR disasters, family rifts, and failed ventures, whispers suggest even the Duke might be reconsidering his position. “Harry’s loyal to a fault, but how long can one person carry an entire empire?” one royal commentator asked. Meghan and Harry’s camp has pushed back, insisting departures are mutual and part of natural evolution. “We are grateful for their contributions and wish them well,” read a statement on Maines’ exit.
They frame the restructuring as a strategic pivot for “maximum impact,” involving family values with kids Archie and Lilibet. Yet the numbers don’t lie: Over 20 staffers gone since 2020, donations drying up, and a reputation for being “impossible to work for” that’s scaring away top talent. As one Hollywood insider put it: “Talented people don’t want the headache. It’s not bad luck – it’s bad leadership.” ####
What’s Next for the Sussexes? With Meghan’s lifestyle brand As Ever and Netflix projects in the pipeline, the couple insists brighter days are ahead. But as 2025 draws to a close with yet another staffing bombshell, the question looms larger than ever: Can Harry and Meghan stem the tide, or is Prince Harry truly on the verge of becoming the latest – and most devastating – defection? One thing’s clear: In the cutthroat world of Montecito philanthropy, loyalty is in short supply. And for Meghan Markle, her most devoted “employee” might just be counting down the days… *Stay tuned – this story is developing faster than a Sussex PR crisis!*
