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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Ex-Aide Reveals What It’s Really Like to Work for The Pair

A former employee of Harry and Meghan has given a glowing tribute to the couple, silencing all the workplace bullying allegations.

James Holt poses alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (Cover Image Source: Instagram | @jamesaholt)
James Holt poses alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (Cover Image Source: Instagram | @jamesaholt)

The public perception surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has always been very divisive. The Duchess faced a string of setbacks when several long-term employees decided to move on to new opportunities, and many went on record about alleged workplace harassment and bullying.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nechells Wellbeing Centre to join Coach Core apprentices taking part in a training masterclass. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Oli Scarff)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nechells Wellbeing Centre to join Coach Core apprentices taking part in a training masterclass. (Image Source: Getty Images | Oli Scarff)

Three top executives from Archewell Philanthropies (formerly the Archewell Foundation) departed within weeks of one another. The wave began with Kristin Slevin, their director of programs and operations, who was allegedly let go. Soon after, chief communications officer Meredith Maines and executive director James Holt both decided to step down from their respective roles.

Prior to these exits, quite a few other staffers also left, prompting the foundation to undergo serious restructuring and lay off several employees. This led to a barrage of rumors surrounding the couple, with many saying they were difficult to work with and fostered a toxic workplace environment. But that notion seems to be challenged by a former employee of the pair.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and James Holt are seen after the swimming finals at swimming pool Het Hofbad during the Invictus Games on April 19, 2022 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Image Source: Getty Images | Patrick Van Katwijk
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and James Holt are seen after the swimming finals at swimming pool Het Hofbad during the Invictus Games on April 19, 2022, in The Hague, Netherlands. (Image Source: Getty Images | Patrick Van Katwijk)

James Holt, who left the foundation in December 2025 to join as political director of the Liberal Democrats in the UK, recently made his social media account public. And a post from May 2026 caught the attention of many royal family enthusiasts. In an Instagram post published on 14 May, he wrote: "Working with Prince Harry and Meghan has been one of the great privileges of my career. From my first project with Prince Harry eight years ago to improve mental health support for soldiers in the British military to our recent work helping injured children in Gaza, he has consistently challenged me to think bigger about how we can make a difference.”

He added, "From the moment I met Meghan, I recognized a kindred spirit — someone who finds joy even in difficult moments and connects authentically with people regardless of circumstance. Above everything else, the work we've done together to support families affected by online harm will remain the most meaningful of my professional life."

He summed, "After five incredible years in Los Angeles, it's time for my family to return to London. When I pass the baton to the team leading Archewell Philanthropies in the coming months, I'll do so with immense pride and optimism for what lies ahead. I'll miss my colleagues deeply, and I’m grateful to Harry and Meghan for everything they've done — for me and for the countless people we've worked to support."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the sitting volleyball event during the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark on April 17, 2022, in The Hague. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the sitting volleyball event during the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark on April 17, 2022, in The Hague. (Image Source: Getty Images | Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Holt shared another photo standing alongside Harry, Markle, and his family, captioned, "Eight years. Many stories. Two countries. And one very small person who wasn't here when it all started. Thank you for the adventure." This warm farewell suggests that rumors attributing the top executive's departure to a toxic or hostile work environment under the Sussexes may be off base.

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