Prince Harry’s Ups and Downs With the Royal Family Over the Years
Some former royal family staffers have spoken about their experiences working for The Firm — and they’re not shy about discussing Prince William and Prince Harry.
Josh Kettler, for one, was Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s chief of staff for three months before parting ways with Team Sussex in June 2024. His departure sparked rumors about a tense working relationship with the couple, but Kettler had nothing but a positive experience.
Kettler told Us Weekly exclusively in September 2024 that he was “warmly welcomed” by Harry, Meghan and everyone at Archewell during his brief stint.
“They are dedicated and hardworking,” he told Us at the time. “It was impressive to witness.”
Prince Harry’s Ups and Downs With the Royal Family Over the Years
Most accounts from the former staffers were positive — but some had strong opinions about members of the family they encountered.
Queen Elizabeth II’s former press secretary Ailsa Anderson, for one, recalled Harry to be a “very warm, engaging and kind person” in the August 2025 documentary Prince Harry: My Terrible Year. But she didn’t hold back when it came to discussing the Duke of Sussex’s royal rift.
“Stop being the victim and start being the hero of the piece, start writing your own script,” Anderson said. “I think people are just getting a little bit tired of how Prince Harry thinks the world is against him and how awful his life is.”
Keep scrolling to see other former royal staffers’ quotes about William and Harry:
A Major Comparison
Princess Diana’s former private secretary and chief of staff, Patrick Jephson, compared her drama with the royal family to Harry and Meghan’s.
“Thirty years ago we were in a comparable situation where rifts were opening up within the royal family and it was starting to escalate,” he told CNN in March 2021. “There were a lot of unhappy people involved then, I’m quite sure there are a lot of unhappy people involved now.”
Jephson also commented on Harry and Meghan’s CBS tell-all, hinting that it might not have been the best move.
“The precedence for royal interviews of this kind are not very encouraging,” he said.
No Bad Vibes
Catherine St-Laurent said in July 2021 that it was “an incredible experience” working as Harry and Meghan’s chief of staff.
“They are incredibly talented and creative leaders,” she told The Cut at the time. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to do that, to be able to be with them on their journey. The time that I spent with them was incredibly fulfilling.”
The 12-Year-Old Rule
King Charles III’s former pilot Graham Laurie disclosed the royal rule that goes into effect when a future monarch turns 12.
“After [William’s 12th birthday], he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty,” Laurie shared during an appearance on “A Right Royal Podcast” in 2023. “When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on.”
The protocol is put in place in case something happens while the family is traveling.
Supportive Bosses
Harry and Meghan’s former global press secretary and head of communications, Ashley Hansen, told Us about one specific situation where she had to take extended time off for an unknown reason.
“I was met with the kind of concern and care a parent would express if it were their own child,” Hansen said in August 2024. “I was asked what I needed, how and if they could help, and told to take as much time as I needed.”
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A Heartfelt Goodbye
Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon, who previously worked for William, left his position in December 2024 with a message of positive royal family memories.
“It’s been a remarkable journey, and I look forward to carrying the skills and insights I’ve gained into my next appointments,” Dixon wrote via LinkedIn at the time, recalling “all the weird and wonderful” moments with the family.
“There were engagements when our whole Household was involved, every single person, and there were times when I was quite rightly standing alone, calling the shots and backing the shots I’d taken,” he added. “I will be forever grateful to everyone who played their part alongside me in ‘Team Cambridge’ and ‘Team Wales’, and also to my superb Principals.”
A Minor Mishap
William and Princess Kate Middleton’s former aide Jason Knauf had a bit of a snafu in the London streets ahead of Princess Charlotte’s 2015 birth announcement.
“We were gonna announce it for another couple hours, and I had this piece of paper to get right this press release,” he recalled on 60 Minutes in February 2025. “I’m still out there with the hundreds of journalists trying to have a game face. And then I couldn’t find the piece of paper.”
They got through the ordeal “without an upset” but details about Charlotte’s birth time and weight was “somewhere on that street.”
The Former Press Secretary
Anderson’s August 2025 quotes about Harry made headlines as she weighed in on the ongoing family feud.
She referred to Harry as “too impulsive” when it comes to decisions related to his family. “I think trust is paramount in every walk of life, if you can’t trust your family, who can you trust?” she added.
