keeping up with the royals

Everything to Know About Meghan Markle’s Assistant Quitting

Meghan Markle.
Meghan Markle. Photo: Ian Vogler/Getty Images

One of Meghan Markle’s royal staff reportedly quit her job, according to People, in what is being referred to as a “sudden departure.” The only thing known about the person who quit so unexpectedly is that she was reportedly the duchess of Sussex’s assistant, and that her first name is Melissa.

Kensington Palace declined to comment on the matter officially, but an unnamed source supposedly connected to the palace did release a statement to the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden for his column Eden Confidential.

In February, Meghan Markle was assigned her first royal staffer, Amy Pickerill, who previously worked in Prince Harry’s press office. It is unknown exactly how many staff members are dedicated to the duchess’s affairs today, but Melissa seemed important to the palace.

“Melissa is a hugely talented person,” an unnamed source told the Daily Mail. “She played a pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding and will be missed by everyone in the royal household.”

According to the Daily Mail, Melissa was also part of the team in charge of dealing with Markle’s father. It’s unclear if Melissa was part of the staff instructed to watch Suits before the wedding, though one can only hope.

On Monday, Vanity Fair reported that Meghan and Harry were looking for two replacement staff members: one for Melissa, and another for Edward Lane Fox, who formerly served as Harry’s private secretary and resigned over the summer.

For now, a woman named Samantha Cohen, who was former assistant private secretary for the queen, has taken on a temporary assignment as Prince Harry’s private secretary. “They are aware that they have lost some key staff members in recent months, but they really like Sam and want her to stay on,” an unnamed source told Vanity Fair.

The news of Melissa’s reported departure comes after the duchess and her husband, Prince Harry, finished their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga. Just before their trip, the couple announced that they were expecting a baby in the spring.

This post has been updated throughout and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

Everything to Know About Meghan Markle’s Assistant Quitting