Fresh blow for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as they lose another long-time staffer

There's been another blow to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's team, with another staffer stepping down from his role. 

The royal couple have confirmed that their longtime advisor, James Holt, will be leaving his role at their charity Archewell. 

Holt, the executive director of Archewell, announced the news on Monday December 29 in a statement confirming his departure. 

"From my first project with Prince Harry eight years ago to improve mental health support for soldiers in the British military, to our recent work helping injured children in Gaza, he has consistently challenged me to think bigger about how we can make a difference," Holt said in the statement to People. 

"From the moment I met Meghan, I recognised a kindred spirit – someone who finds joy even in difficult moments and connects authentically with people regardless of circumstance."

For Holt, the work they have done to support families "affected by online harm" is the most meaningful in his career, noting that these are the people who inspire him daily. 

"After five incredible years in Los Angeles, it's time for my family to return to London. When I pass the baton to the team leading Archewell Philanthropies in the coming months, I'll do so with immense pride and optimism for what lies ahead," the statement continued. 

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"I'll miss my colleagues deeply, and I'm grateful to Harry and Meghan for everything they've done – for me, and for the countless people we've worked to support."

Holt worked as their PR boss from 2019 to 2021 before moving into a role working more closely with the couple and their charitable and philanthropic work. 

Holt appeared in their bombshell Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, which was released in 2022. At the time he claimed that Brexit had ignited racist views and had destroyed Meghan's "fairy tale" of marrying her Prince. 

He had also moved to California with the Sussexes when they started their new chapter after walking away from their roles as working members of the royal family. 

In a statement of their own, the Sussexes praised Holt's work, calling him "a stellar support" for almost a decade. 

"His enthusiasm and talent in overseeing our philanthropic endeavours have been extraordinary. As James moves his young family back to the UK, we are proud that he will continue to guide various humanitarian trips for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies."

Holt's departure from working with the royal couple is just the latest blow in their staffing woes, coming just days after their chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, stepped down after roughly 10 months in the role.

Maines started with the couple in March, after being appointed the role in February, overseeing the communications across the Sussexes' nonprofit work, business ventures and broader public profile.

She was the 11th publicist the couple have lost since leaving their working roles in the royal family.

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