SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

British RoyalsThe Sussexes

The Duchess of Sussex’s personal assistant reportedly quits job after six months

It was reported on Friday that the Duchess of Sussex’s personal assistant had suddenly quit after only six months into Meghan’s royal life.

Though Kensington Palace declined to comment on the story, an unnamed source spoke to Richard Eden for his Eden Confidential column in the Daily Mail saying that, “Melissa is a hugely talented person. She played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Wedding and will be missed by everyone in the Royal Household.”

Melissa reportedly worked hard on planning the 19 May wedding at Windsor Castle with Meghan and Prince Harry and would have helped smooth things over as the Markle side of Meghan’s family began acting up in the days leading up to the ceremony.

“It’s a real shock,” the source continued. “Why would she want to leave such a prestigious job so soon?”

The Melissa story, if true, would be the latest in a string of stories that have come out about the “younger generation” of royals as writer and royal reporter Robert Jobson releases his biography of Prince Charles to coincide with the Prince’s 70th birthday.

Stories about Prince William’s “grandness” and Prince Harry’s “temper” leading up to the wedding, as well as a story about Meghan having a temper tantrum when she couldn’t wear an emerald tiara at her wedding – she ended up wearing a diamond and platinum tiara from Queen Mary’s collection – have all made the rounds as the book was released this week, though the veracity of each haven’t been commented on by Kensington Palace.

Other members of Meghan’s staff include Amy Pickerill, her Assistant Private Secretary, someone who’s worked with her since the engagement was announced last November; and Samantha Cohen, who is acting as hers and Harry’s Private Secretary until a permanent replacement for Edward Lane Fox – who left his position in the summer – can be found.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.