Latest Departure Sparks New Questions About the SusđâŻđesâ Management Style
It appears that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again parted ways with another American adviser. Josh Kettler, who had been serving as chief of staff to the Duke and Duchess, reportedly resigned in August after just three months on the job. His departure adds him to the increasingly notorious âSusđâŻđ Survivors Club,â a term some former employees have adopted to describe their experiences.
A Pattern of Short Tenures
Before Kettler, several others have left the couple’s inner circle, including Toya Holness, their global press secretary until 2022, and Christine Weil Schirmer, who quit as their PR head in 2021. Samantha Cohen, Markleâs former top aide, also exited that year. Notably, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, a partner at Sunshine Sachs, began working with Meghan when she was still a TV star on Suits and later helped establish the coupleâs internal communications when they relocated to California. Sources suggest Morgan stopped representing them around 2020 due to financial disputes, a claim the PR firm denies.
Other notable members of the Survivors Club include Catherine St-Laurent, who lasted a year as the head of the SusđâŻđesâ charity Archewell, and Archewell COO Mandana Dayani. The churn raises the question: why do these advisers leave so quickly?
Inside the SusđâŻđ Dynamics
According to insiders, âEveryoneâs terrified of Meghan.â They describe her as someone who belittles others and does not take advice. Despite Harry’s charm, he is viewed as an enabler of Markleâs behavior. âSheâs just terrible,â claims a source, painting a stark contrast to Markle’s public persona.
Markle’s past treatment of royal aides prompted an investigation by Buckingham Palace in 2018 for alleged âbullying behavior,â though the findings were never released. Some former staff members reportedly describe her as the ‘Duchess Difficult,’ citing her tendency for tantrums and early-morning emails that leave colleagues shaken. âShe marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders,â one source recalls, adding, âIâve watched her reduce grown men to tears.â
A Contradictory Public Image
This unflattering portrayal contrasts sharply with the image Markle has sought to cultivate in recent years. An admirer of self-help author BrenĂ© Brown, Markle emphasizes gratitude and joy in her life. While on a recent trip to Colombia, she spoke of her âchapter of joy,â stating, âIf youâre going to be grateful for your life, you have to be grateful for all aspects of it.â
In her Archetypes podcast, Markle addressed her struggles with self-assertion, recounting moments of cowering and tiptoeing in professional settings. âYouâre allowed to set a boundary. Youâre allowed to be clear; it doesnât make you demanding,â she said, advocating for clarity over ambiguity.
No Comment from the SusđâŻđes
Harry and Meghanâs current spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing situation or the claims made by former staff.
Alexa’s Glitch Sparks Controversy
In unrelated news, a glitch in Alexaâs responses has led to accusations of bias in political recommendations. Until recently, asking Alexa why to vote for Donald Trump yielded a neutral response, while inquiries about Kamala Harris were met with supportive statements. This discrepancy has fueled outrage among Trump supporters, with some labeling Alexa a âcommie operative.â Amazon has since clarified that the glitch has been fixed, insisting that Alexa does not possess political views.
Dimitri the MaĂźtre Dâ Returns to Tower Bar
In lighter news, Dimitri Dimitrov, the beloved maĂźtre dâ of Hollywood, is returning to Tower Bar after six years at San Vicente Bungalows. Klein, the owner of both establishments, expressed excitement about Dimitri’s return, stating, âOur regulars will be thrilled that heâs back.â Dimitri will not only resume his role but will also be featured in a documentary about his legendary status in the industry. Klein is simultaneously working on expanding his brand with new locations in Santa Monica and New Yorkâs West Village.