The Duke and Duchess of Sussex bid farewell to key team members, including global press secretary Ashley Hansen, as they navigate ongoing staffing challenges.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced mounting difficulties in retaining key staff since stepping back from their royal duties. This week, the couple saw yet another departure as Ashley Hansen, their Global Press Secretary and Head of Communications, announced her decision to leave and establish her own public relations firm, Three Gate Strategies. Despite her departure, Hansen will continue to support Harry and Meghan, who have expressed pride in her new venture, particularly highlighting her role as a female entrepreneur.

However, Hansen is not the only staff member to part ways with the Sussexes recently. Josh Kettler and Ben Browning are among those who have also left their positions. Kettler, who served as Prince Harry’s chief of staff earlier this year, was believed to be well-suited to guide Harry into his next chapter. However, after a brief stint that included a trip to Nigeria, it was mutually decided that the role was not the right fit for either party.

Browning, who joined the Sussexes in January 2021, oversaw Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio. He transitioned to a new position as a tracking executive at Cinetic Media in January 2024. A source noted that his departure was a significant loss for Archewell, indicating that it could impact the organisation’s operations.

The Sussexes’ challenges with staffing have included the exit of Bennett Levine, who served as coordinator for Archewell Productions before moving to a new role in the film industry in January 2024. Fara Taylor, who became head of marketing in March 2022, left in April 2023 as part of a plan to streamline Archewell’s marketing efforts.

Notably, several other key members of the Sussexes’ team have departed in recent years. Rebecca Sananes, hired as head of audio to produce Meghan’s Spotify podcast Archetypes, left following the show’s conclusion after just one season. Mandana Dayani, the former chief operating officer of Archewell, exited just days before the release of the couple’s Netflix documentary series in December 2022.

Toya Holness, who served as global press secretary, was known informally as “Meghan’s Shadow” and left the team in May 2022. Catherine St Laurent, who joined as chief of staff and executive director after working with Melinda Gates, transitioned to an advisory role less than a year later.

Furthermore, Natalie Campbell, a founding director of the Sussex Royal Charity Foundation, left after under a year to take on a chief executive role at water company Belu. The numerous departures highlight an ongoing struggle for the Sussexes to maintain a stable team as they forge their new path outside of royal duties.

While the Sussexes have experienced high turnover, they continue to receive support from their loyal staff. With Ashley Hansen’s departure marking another change in their communications strategy, Harry and Meghan remain focused on their goals with a smaller, more dedicated team.