The Duke and Duchess’ ‘rock’ has quit his job as the head of their charity organisation Archewell.Daniel Bird and Eilidh Farquhar Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
19:19, 29 Dec 2025
Meghan and Harry have been hit with a new blow as closest aide quits job.(Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s closest aide and ‘rock’ James Holt has announced his has quit his job in the couple’s charity. After holding the position as the PR boss of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from 2019 to 2021, Holt became the head of the Archewell organisation.
The couple have had a close friendship with Holt, who even moved to California when they decided to step back from being senior working royals in 2020. Some may also know Holt from his appearance in the bombshell Netflix series, Meghan and Harry.
In the documentary, he claimed that Meghan’s “fairy tale” of marrying her Prince has been destroyed due to Brexit igniting racist views around the country. Since moving to America, Holt has helped the Sussexes in their charitable endeavours through Archewell Philanthropies – previously called the Archewell Foundation.
However, five years on from its establishment, Holt is now quitting his job at head of the organisation in a huge blow. With sources saying he wants to spend more time in London with his family, Holt issued a statement to the media sharing it had been a “great privilege” to work with the Sussexes over the years, reports the Mirror.
The statement reads: “Working with Prince Harry and Meghan has been one of the great privileges of my career. 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.”
James Holt has worked closely with the Duke and Duchess since they stepped back from they royal duties.(Image: Mirror)
He also added that he found a “kindred spirit” in Meghan, who he said is able to often find joy in the “difficult moments”. He said: “Above everything else, the work we’ve done together to support families affected by online harm will remain the most meaningful of my professional life. These families are extraordinary, and they inspire me every day.
“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.
“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.”
The Duke and Duchess have also responded to the departure of their dear friend, writing: “James has been a stellar support for us for nearly ten years. His enthusiasm and talent in overseeing our philanthropic endeavours have been extraordinary.”
However, it seems that Holt will still play a part in the organisation as he will serve as a senior philanthropic advisor to the couple. The statement adds: “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.”
This departure may not have come at the best time as Archewell is currently facing various crises. This includes the departure of director of programs and operations, Kirsten Slevin, and chief communications officer, Meredith Maines.
Speaking on Maines’ departure, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said: “Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well.”
Maines also released a statement, saying: “After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will be pursuing a new opportunity in 2026. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good they are doing in the world.”
These aren’t the first of the couple’s aides to leave since their move to California, as it was reported last October that the Sussexes have lost 10 aides since quitting their royal roles.
This includes Emily Robinson, who was the couple’s director of communication for three months after being hired in June. Last year, their global press secretary, Ashley Hansen, also left to launch her own consultancy after two years.