Duchess Of Sussex
Common perceptions of being part of the royal family are that it must be incredible and a very lucky occurrence. What's the downside of being involved in one of or perhaps the most influential families on the planet? But, then again, most people know about Meghan Markle going through five assistants.
Most of the staff say they are so lucky to be involved in the Royal Family. But with the Duchess of Sussex, inside information has come to light regarding Meghan Markle and her replacing her assistants so frequently.
The staff of the Royal Family loves working for them. They say their jobs are amazing. But this doesn't extend to all of them.
Meghan was put in the spotlight ever since she appeared in Hollywood, but she's had even more exposure after becoming a part of the Royal Family. Meghan's assistants never last, and some of them are coming forward to tell everyone why they didn't stay with her for long.
Making An Entrance
The bachelor of the Royal Family was always Prince Harry. Many speculated about when he would meet someone special. Harry finally found Meghan and while others have joined from outside the Royal Family, none have had the same attention as Meghan.
What Meghan and Prince Harry found was a Hollywood romance - something we could only dream about. But was the romance fleeting?
Worries
Meghan already had a fan following from being in Suits, the TV series. This wasn't the only thing that contrasted Meghan from the other Royal Family members. This wasn't Meghan's first serious romance. She was already divorced once and people wondered whether or not she'd be able to adjust to the new life with Prince Harry.
She and Prince Harry had an extravagant wedding in 2018. Not long afterward, there were rumors about how unreasonable Meghan really was when it came to her staff.
Whispers
The Royal Family does try to live privately and away from the media, but whispers still make their way to the news and headlines. Allegedly, what happens to Meghan's Staff is too much to keep within the confines of the palace.
To top things off, Meghan was carrying a child at the time. When each assistant cycled through the palace, people began to learn that Meghan wasn't an easy boss to please. Information from inside the palace had been leaked and while many don't believe in the rumors, one of Meghan's assistants had precious information to share.
One Too Far
After becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan needed a personal assistant. Melissa Toubati seemed like the right fit. She was used to meeting the high demands of her bosses - she used to be the assistant for Hollywood stars like Robbie Williams.
Even with Melissa's background, Meghan couldn't be satisfied. After only six months after being hired, Melissa quit. What made her crack?
Wedding Anxiety
Melissa said that she had helped to plan the Royal Wedding and waited on Meghan for anything she needed. It was the way the Meghan behaved during the whole wedding process that caused Mellisa to quit. The wedding is what pushed her over the edge.
Melissa had done anything and everything for her boss. Some things were questionable even for her. What escalated the situation?
Demanding Requests
A lot of people would love the chance to work for the Royal Family, but not many people know how intense the Duchess can get. With Melissa's experience in meeting the demands of her previous Hollywood employers, she was keen to work for Meghan. She thought she was prepared for anything that Meghan could ask of her.
When Melissa came aboard, she found that it wasn't what she had expected. She said in an interview with The Mirror that she had "put up with quite a lot." And, more than once, Melissa's shifts left her crying afterward. It wasn't just Meghan demanding things that cracked her.
The Groom Was Demanding Too
Things were getting heated for Prince Harry and Meghan before the wedding. A biographer for the Royal Family named Robert Johnson said that he feels that Prince Harry was just as demanding as his future wife was.
Robert said that the Prince was ill-tempered in the days leading up to the wedding and said that Meghan must get what she wanted. The Royal Wedding brought many stresses to the couple. But Melissa was going to find herself dealing with a strange situation that was very personal to Meghan.
Too Intense
Melissa was in the line of fire for much of the demands during the planning of the wedding. Melissa had an enormous task to fulfill, she had to control the situation that had developed between the Duchess and her father.
There were many reports about Meghan's father, Thomas Markle. There was speculation about their relationship and whether or not he was coming to the wedding. Melissa was left to deal with this situation. But it wouldn't just be personal family disputes that would hinder the wedding day.
Fit For A Princess
It turns out that a tiara was the cause of a major argument between the family, and left many aides wondering about their time with the Royal Family. Apparently, Meghan’s tiara wasn’t her first choice.
No, the Duchess reportedly wanted one covered in emeralds, but the Queen wouldn’t see it happen as they couldn’t trace the origin of the jewels. Apparently, Harry was so upset that his grandmother was forced to step in and defuse the situation. And then, Meghan’s close friend confirmed what the Dutchess’ staff already knew.
A Close Ally
Former agent and friend of Meghan’s, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, was another to talk about the bride and her big day. Gina soon confirmed the rumors and admitted Meghan was picky and specific with every aspect of her wedding, no matter the cost.
However, Gina still states that Meghan is “delightful, warm, personable” despite all the rumors about her demanding ways. Sadly, it appears her list of priorities soon overshadowed the sweetness lying underneath. Melissa couldn’t take the heat of her role any longer. And the lists sent at the crack of dawn didn’t help the situation…
Breaking The rules
Every morning, at 5 AM, Melissa received lists of demands from the Dutchess, making sure that everyone was ready to go from the crack of dawn. Surely that was everything on Meghan’s list? Apparently not. It’s said the Duchess has also been known to break a few royal rules along the way, too.
One of the biggest rules that Meghan has chosen to ignore since becoming a Royal is her wardrobe. Reports state Meghan has been told to stop dressing as though she’s still an actress and find a wardrobe that suits her new role as a Royal. And it was Melissa’s job to encourage her to comply.
Many Positions
Although Meghan’s time in the family has been fuelled with rumors and drama, it appears as though she has continued to settle into her new life. Can she really keep up with the likes of Kate Middleton and Princess Diana after all?
They might be huge shoes to fill, but it looks like Meghan is willing to give it her all. Sadly, the star’s past has since made its way to the headlines and has left many wondering if those stories could be the real Duchess – not the one we see in the media.
A Drawn-Out Plan
Long before she made it to our screens, it looks as though Meghan had another plan up her sleeve. The actress rose to fame thanks to her starring role in Suits, but could she really have wanted more? One photo has certainly got people wondering.
Meghan traveled to Buckingham Palace on a school trip when she was just a teen, and many state this was the moment she started planning her path to make sure she married Prince Harry and became part of the Royal Family.
Rumors That Stick
The rumors began to spread almost as soon as the world learned about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement. However, many stories usually surface with wedding announcements and many fans believed this was another way to make money.
Still, the media continued on their path to show that Meghan might not always be as honest and open as she appears. The thought stuck with many, and her royal aides leaving her side was just another mark against Meghan’s name for some.
A New Lifestyle
Many might need some time to adjust to their new life as a member of one of the most famous families in the world. Yet it looked as though Meghan was fitting in with ease. Thankfully, her time in Hollywood meant this former actress was used to the attention.
However, there was something that Meghan never expected: her role as a Duchess comes with plenty of rules. Meghan now had someone to answer to and could no longer do what she wanted when she wanted.
Freshening The Air
Surely those royal rules can’t be too tough to follow, right? Apparently, they really are. Meghan was in for a surprise when she learned of all the things she could no longer have throughout her wedding plans, and it didn’t take long for sources to tell the world.
Apparently, Meghan wanted to use air fresheners to take away any musty smell from St. George’s Church before her big day, but it was immediately denied. It’s thought this wasn’t the news that Meghan was hoping to hear.
Feuding Duchesses
It’s not just the royal staff that felt the brunt of the Duchess in the build-up to her big day. Apparently, many members of her new family also came into the firing line, too. Many have spoken about Meghan and Kate’s relationship – or lack of one.
It appears as though the two sisters-in-law remain civil in public, but many have talked about how that isn’t always the case behind closed doors. However, people hope these are only rumors and won’t lead to a rift among the family.
The Start Of It All
It appears as though one event, in particular, was the defining point in Meghan and Kate’s relationship. It’s said that Kate was busy with her daughter Princess Charlotte at her bridesmaids dress fitting for Meghan’s big day.
However, Meghan’s apparent demands were enough to see Kate leave the room in a flood of tears. Kensington Palace denies this ever happened yet many insiders state this all took place. It appears as though no one really knows the truth about the day.
A Team Of Staff
It appears as though everyone in the Royal Family is gifted their own team of staff who are there to fulfill their every beck and whim. However, the team often get the chance to talk to one another when they aren’t needed.
It was one of these events that supposedly saw Meghan and Kate come to blows once more. It’s said that Meghan spoke to one of Kate’s staff in a way that she didn’t appreciate and it wasn’t long before Kate stood up for the member of her team.
Leaving Him Behind
It’s not just Meghan’s royal aides who have been exiting the palace over the last few months. It appears as though Harry has seen some of his team leave, too. Ed Lane Fox, Harry’s private secretary, left his role of five years in April 2018.
It’s said that Ed was the one to help Harry out of many negative situations over the years and apparently helped Meghan slot into her new role. No one knows why he left, but it appears as though the two men are still close as Ed was a guest at the royal wedding.
Many Reasons To Leave
All the staff leaving the palace has left many wondering if working for Harry and Meghan could really be all it’s cracked up to be. After all, why else would so many people be handing in their resignation since they have become a couple?
It turns out there are many reasons that people might want to leave their role within the Royal Family. It’s said there are a host of rules for staff and most positions come with a low paycheck at the end of the month.
Not The Only One
Amazingly, it’s not just Meghan who has caused a stir from entering the Royal Family. That’s right; Kate also came under questioning when she married Prince William. In fact, the Duchess saw two members of staff leave just days after her arrival.
Both her gardener and housekeeper, a married couple, exited after it’s said that Kate wanted to do many of the household tasks herself. Apparently, this stood on a few people’s toes as Kate busied herself with a list of jobs.
Down To Earth
Many have noticed that Kate wants to make sure that her life is kept as normal as possible. After all, the Duchess came from a typical family that didn’t have the luxury of staff to help them run the home. This is something that has followed Kate to the Royal Family.
Some believe that Kate wants to make sure that she is the one looking after her family while others think she hopes to keep her life as private as possible. Whatever the case, it was enough for Kate’s head housekeeper walk out the door.
A Desire To Help
It turns out that Meghan has brought a new lease of energy to the Royals and wants to make sure that everyone keeps up with her demands. However, her strong work ethic might be part of the problem that has rocked the boat for many.
Many of the team have spent years working with the family, and they aren’t used to the early morning messages from the Royals. All that energy and desire appears to be too much for many of the staff and is unlike anything they have witnessed before.
There Are More
Although Melissa’s exit from the Royal Family surprised many, she wasn’t alone with her decision to leave her role. In fact, there were six members of staff who all handed in their resignation as soon as the couple walked down the aisle.
Some of the team to go were the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall’s personal secretary, the Queen’s media secretary, and the royal director of communications. It seems that working at the palace might be more up in the air than ever.
A Chance To Start
All those departures mean there is an opening or two within the palace. Many members of the team state that working for the family is a huge honor and the Royals are nothing but warm and kind. However, there is still a list of rules that need to be followed at all times.
It looks as though you need to have a knowledge of the Royal Family and a desire to meet them if you want to make sure you’re as clued up as possible before applying for a role within Kensington Palace.
Not A Walk In The Park
There are many reasons that members of staff come and go from the Royal Family, but many forget that working within the palace might not be as easy as it seems. That’s right; there are plenty of responsibilities that come with the role.
Most of the team have to make sure they are ready for anything at all hours of the day, and some must work long hours if they want to make sure things are perfect. Some state days can start at 7.30 am and might not finish until 11 pm on the same day.
A Rigorous Interview
That’s not all. Anyone wanting to work within the palace also needs to make sure they are ready for the job. Some of the requirements are they must be polite, etiquette, and be educated all before making it through an intense interview.
Only then will the Royal Family consider anyone for a role within their team. Thankfully, the pay off can be more than many people imagined. Many members of staff look back with fond memories. Just perhaps not all of Meghan Markle’s personal assistants.
Keeping Safe
An assistant is responsible for many aspects of a Royal’s life. Although they aren’t in charge of keeping them safe, it’s something that often crosses their mind whenever they are out in public.
After all, there are often huge crowds, and the Royals are some of the most famous faces in the world. This means many assistants can find themselves going above and beyond their role as they want to make sure that everyone is kept safe at all times.
A Dream Job
Whether people have the time of their life or leave the role in a flood of tears, it looks as though working alongside the Royal Family is something that many members of staff have dreamt about their entire lives.
Yes, many have wanted to make their way inside the palace, and have worked hard to make sure they get there. Plus, the experiences enjoyed with the family and opportunities they might receive can often be out of this world. Perhaps it’s not so bad after all?
Just Like Us
Although they can often seem as though they are in a league of their own, the Royal Family are all made up of ordinary people. That’s right; they have good and bad days, they have their own priorities, and some even make a mistake or two along the way.
However, this also means that the chemistry isn’t always there. While some members of staff haven’t always worked out, there is always someone there ready to step into the position as soon as it becomes open.
A Nickname
Because of all Meghan’s alleged issues since she has entered the Royal Family, she has been nicknamed Duchess Difficult. Due to her reportedly high demands, bossy attitude, and strict rules, people have deemed her hard to work with and for.
At the end of the day, perhaps she is just trying to prove she has what it takes and that she is in charge. This is a new role for her and it can be intimidating trying to get used to it – this can lead to stress and acting out.
Problems With The Boss
In reality, everyone has probably had at least one problem with their boss at work. Whether it’s a disagreement, an attitude issue, or just lack of chemistry.
Because of this, we can all understand what it’s like to have a difficult boss and how hard it can be to work with them or maintain office morale. That being said, we can’t just up and quit any time our boss does something we don’t agree with. Apparently you can if you work for the Royal Family.
How Bad Can It Be?
While it definitely seems like working for this family can be pretty demanding and at times complicated, we have to wonder how bad can it actually be? You get to hang out with Royals all day, after all.
But, it would seem like getting emails at early hours in the morning, dealing with constant expectations and demands, and having all eyes on you can probably get to be too much after a while. It hasn’t been easy to see so many staff members leave, but maybe we can’t blame them.
Change Things Up
Regardless of the reasonings behind so many Royal Family staff members leaving, there are a few things to keep in mind. While it probably wasn’t easy for these people to come to this decision and leave, it also most likely isn’t easy for so many changes within the palace employees.
Stuff like this can lead to instability and mild chaos. Thankfully, it seems like the family has grown accustomed to these types of changes and are probably handling it just fine.
High Demand
The next personal assistant to arrive for duty at the palace was Samantha Cohen, also known as Samantha the Panther. She had already been working for the Royals for 17 years. It looked like she would be the perfect candidate to fill Melissa’s shoes.
Samantha was well-known for her outstanding work ethic and knowhow when it came to the Royal Family. Everyone expected her to be able to handle Meghan’s demands with little trouble. But in reality, it wasn’t so. Samantha is the next assistant to tender her resignation.
Many Roles
So just who is Samantha Cohen? Well, she has had a host of different roles since she began working for the Royal Family all those years ago. She’s acted as Queen Elizabeth II’s press spokeswoman, as well as the Queen’s private secretary.
All her time spent serving the royals had a wealth of knowledge about her employers. And now, she has switched roles once again, acting as chief of staff and private secretary to Meghan and Harry. But it won’t be long before Samantha leaves, too.
A Loss
But there is more to Samantha’s resignation, sources say. Samantha had always planned on leaving the royals but wanted to help Meghan and Harry as a final opportunity to show off her skills.
Although Samantha’s resignation had been called “a huge loss” by palace sources, everyone began to turn their attention to a new assistant.
Finding Replacements
One of the obvious benefits of the changeup is that Meghan can probably find the right replacements that will suit her needs and meet her requirements. If she truly does have such high demands, then she should be able to find someone that can handle it.
Regardless of the people who come and go out of the palace, one thing is certain: they should probably start finalizing things soon because a baby is coming soon, no matter what. She will have other things on her mind once baby Sussex arrives.