Harry and Meghan's Ex-Employee Opens Up About Her Experience Working With Them—and Why She Said Yes
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former colleague recently revealed her experience of working with the couple.
Meghan Markle has faced years of allegations that she was a difficult boss, including claims of 5 am messages to staff and bullying, which the Sussexes have denied. However, recently, the former Chief Operating Officer of Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell came forward with her experience working with the royal couple and the one thing that made her say yes.
Mandana Dayani joined Archewell in 2021, when Markle and Harry were still in the middle of the royal media storm. It had only been a year since they had left the monarchy and were seemingly still finding their footing across the Atlantic. However, it was that “brave” move that prompted Dayani to work with them.
“Watching them dissent against this institution and say, 'This isn’t right for us', that to me felt really brave. I had a lot of respect for how they had the courage to do that, because I think that’s really hard to do,” she said via Hello! Despite her appreciation for the Sussexes, her professional partnership with them ended in 2022. However, the American-Iranian businesswoman stated that she still maintained a “really great relationship” with them.
Dayani’s close bond with Markle and Harry was evident when she received one of As Ever’s goodies packages last year. The hamper included shortbread cookie mix, various teas, flower sprinkles, crepe mix, raspberry spread, etc. Although the lifestyle brand hadn't been founded yet when she worked with the Sussexes, the businesswoman revealed she often spoke with Markle about her ambitions for it. “It’s been years since you first shared your big dreams for As Ever with and I can't believe it’s finally here. Congratulations! I can’t wait for all that is to come,” she wrote.
As the COO, Dayani reported directly to Markle and Harry, who were on parental leave when she joined Archewell in 2021. The royal pair had just welcomed Princess Lilibet. Despite all this, the Duchess of Sussex had the sweetest way to greet their new colleague when Dayani visited their home for the first time. She walked her new employee to her car with “the most beautiful garden basket and eggs” from her chicken coop, which she maintains on their Montecito property.
Currently, the Sussexes are in the UK for an extended stay. Harry has undertaken several charitable engagements in the past few weeks. However, so far he has appeared solo, as fans await Markle’s first public appearance since her return.
