In a surprising shake-up just before their South American trip, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost another key member of their inner circle. Josh Kettler, who served as their Chief of Staff for only three months, has reportedly stepped down. The Guardian reports that the decision was mutual, as the role was not the right fit.
Kettler’s departure is part of a broader pattern of staff changes within the couple’s team. In January 2023, Bennett Levine, who managed Archewell Productions, left the organization. Other notable departures include Fara Taylor, who led their marketing efforts, Oscar-nominated producer Ben Browning, and Rebecca Sananes, who produced Meghan’s “Archetypes” podcast. Mandana Dayani, the president of the Archewell Foundation, also stepped down in December 2022 after a year and a half in the role.
Kettler began his role as Chief of Staff before Harry and Meghan’s trip to Nigeria in May 2024. He brought extensive experience from roles at the tech company Cognixion, the clothing brand Patagonia, and other organizations. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Clemson University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from San Diego State University.
Despite his impressive qualifications, Kettler’s role wasn’t a good match, leading to his departure after a trial period. He was initially brought on to help guide Harry in the “new phase” of his work and even accompanied him to London for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Despite these staffing changes, the Duke and Duchess remain active in their various projects. They are preparing for a significant visit to Colombia, having accepted an invitation from Vice President Francia Márquez. Their tour will include stops in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, where they will meet with local leaders, youth, and women.
This visit is part of a broader initiative linked to Colombia’s upcoming Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. The Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation is expected to play a key role. “We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation,” a statement read.
The upcoming trip to Colombia will be Harry and Meghan’s second tour this year. In May, they visited Nigeria, where they met with officials, visited communities, and toured an academy.
As they prepare for their South American adventure amid Kettler’s departure as Chief of Staff, Meghan continues her search for a CEO to lead her cooking and lifestyle business, American Riviera Orchard.
Amid these professional developments, Meghan recently made headlines for her cold behavior during an August 2024 interview with Prince Harry. The couple broke their three-year joint interview hiatus with a compelling appearance on “Sunday Morning,” where they introduced a new initiative.
The initiative, The Parents Network, aims to support parents whose children have been victimized by online bullying. It offers resources, support, and a sense of community to those navigating the aftermath of cyberbullying.
In their interview with “Sunday Morning” anchor Jane Pauley, the couple discussed the dangers of social media and its impact on young people. They shared stories from parents in the foundation’s pilot program, who described how The Parents Network helped them after losing their children to online bullying.
The conversation turned personal as Jane asked Meghan about her decision to publicly share her own struggles with thoughts of suicide, which were revealed in her March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Jane noticed Meghan’s subtle gesture of placing her hand on Harry’s knee, highlighting their deep connection and mutual support.
Meghan expressed empathy, emphasizing the need of being candid about personal sorrow and trauma. She remarked on the importance of sharing her experience as a potential lifeline for those going through similar problems.
As parents with young children, Meghan and Harry are well aware of the hazards of the digital world. “Our children are young—they’re three and five. “They’re incredible,” Meghan replied. “But all you want to do as parents is protect them.” Harry also stated that “almost every parent needs to be a first responder” in order to protect their children from internet hazards.
Following the conversation, a royal specialist examined Meghan’s behavior, noticing a combination of warmth and restraint. Meghan’s body language, which included an apparent “icy, wifely stare,” conveyed a subliminal message to Harry. Some social media users responded to Meghan’s body language and conduct during the interview with varied emotions.
Despite personnel changes and heavy scrutiny, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their worldwide mission and mental health programs.