Prince Harry’s NYC trip ‘hijacked’, Meghan Markle’s email ‘rule’ revealed

Prince Harry announced himself as a post-royal statesman during his wildly successful New York trip but dramas surrounding Meghan Markle put a dampener on proceedings.

While Prince Harry was met with a rapturous response during his visit to New York over the past week, his efforts to rebrand himself as a post-royal statesman was “hijacked” by dramas surrounding his wife, Meghan Markle.

The Duke of Sussex – who flew in from California via a commercial flight and stayed at a hotel – was given a standing ovation at the Clinton Global Initiative summit where he spoke about the dangers of social media for children.

Royal insiders have suggested Meghan Markle “hijacked” Prince Harry’s New York trip. Picture: AFP

But while Prince Harry’s trip was a raging success, the absent Ms Markle loomed large, amid an eviscerating Hollywood Reporter report where former Sussex staff described her as “Duchess Difficult”.

“Everyone’s terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice. They’re both poor decision-­makers, they change their minds frequently,” one former staffer alleged.

“Harry is a very, very charming person — no airs at all — but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible.”

Prince Harry was a hit in New York. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

One political insider in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) told the New York Post, “This totally hijacked any coverage Harry got … it was quite an own goal.”

Sussex sources called the story “false” and, to counter the bad press, former Archewell chief of staff Catherine St-Laurent told Us Weekly this week she has “remained close” with Prince Harry and Ms Markle since leaving the job.

Meghan Markle has again been the target of negative comments from former Sussex staffers. Picture: AFP

While Josh Kettler — who quit his chief of staff position in August after working for the couple for only three months — said he was “warmly welcomed” by the royal couple and their Archewell team during his time there.

“They are dedicated and hardworking. It was impressive to witness,” he said.

Other staffers called the Duchess of Sussex was “great to work for”.

Other staffers said Ms Markle was “supportive” and “solution-oriented”.

Employees said that the royal would send staff emails as early as 5am but she would let them know they were not required to reply at that time.

Prince Harry is forging his own path. Picture:/Getty Images for Clinton Global Initiative

“My working day may not be your working day,” Ms Markle is said to write in her emails. “Please do not feel obliged to reply to this email outside your normal working hours.”

The Sussexes have had high staff turnover throughout the years. Ms Markle’s top aide and private secretary departed in 2021, and last month, the couple’s chief of staff resigned after just three months on the job.
Another bombshell report from the Daily Beast accused Ms Markle of being a “demon” and allegedly mistreating former employees.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have denied reports they’re difficult to work for. Picture: AFP

A person who allegedly worked for the couple as part of Ms Markle and Prince Harry’s service in the UK while they were still working royals told the outlet: “There definitely were bad, very bad, even psycho moments.”

“I witnessed people being chewed up in person and over the phone and made to feel like s**t. It was an incredibly fraught time, and I’m inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt,” one source said. “She has said herself she was suicidal at times.”

A second insider who alleged to have worked with Markle leading up to her 2018 wedding to the Prince called her a “narcissist.”

“I always thought she was a classic narcissist, and getting her staff to tell a magazine how amazing she is only confirms that in my mind,” they said.
The insider added: “She is lovely when it is all going her way but a demon when the worm turns.”

A separate source claimed a florist got “screamed at down the phone” for half an hour because they allegedly “posted an insignificant detail online about a bouquet they were working on for Meghan.”

The source explained, “They vowed never to work with her again, despite the prestige of having her as a client. If you were working for her, you were often treated like a tradesman who could be treated like s**t.”

Originally published as Prince Harry’s NYC trip ‘hijacked’, Meghan Markle’s email ‘rule’ revealed