Sunday 22 May 2022 02:40 PM Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'lose ANOTHER key aide': Couple's global press ... trends now
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have 'lost another key aide' after parting company with their global press secretary - the latest of at least 12 of their top staff to leave since 2018.
Toya Holness, who has a degree in strategic PR from the University of Southern California, joined the Sussexes in October 2020 and was promoted to oversee their PR on both sides of the Atlantic in March last year.
She has previously been described as 'Meghan’s shadow' - having often been seen wearing the same style of power suits and Hollywood sunglasses.
The former football player had been one of a small band who speak to Harry and Meghan daily, but is understood to have parted ways with the couple, The Sunday Times reports.
It follows the departure of chief of staff and director of Archewell Catherine St Laurent in March last year - after little over 12 months in the role.
She was said to have 'wanted out' after finding herself 'having to fulfil a great many functions for the couple', insiders claimed.
Harry and Meghan have been dogged by the departure of top aides since their wedding in May 2018 - including private secretaries, communications staff, a personal protection officer and the executive director of Harry's sustainable tourism initiative Travalyst.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2019) have lost at least 12 top aides since their wedding
Toya Holness, who has a degree in strategic PR from the University of Southern California, has parted ways with the couple
Catherine St Laurent was head-hunted by the couple from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to become their 'chief of staff', but quit after little over a year in the role
Senior communications secretary Katrina McKeever – a point of liaison for Meghan's family during the first months of the couple's relationship – quietly left their press office in September 2018.
Two months later, Meghan's personal assistant Melissa Toubati is said to have handed in her notice after the duchess had 'left her in tears with her demands', it was claimed.
In January 2019, a female royal protection officer also quit her job as the top bodyguard for Meghan.
The officer, who has not been named for security reasons, had been head of Meghan and Harry's security for less than a year when she left the role.
At the time, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'It's for personal reasons and absolutely nothing to do with the duke or duchess, who are hugely disappointed at losing her.'
In March 2019, it was announced that Meghan's deputy private secretary Amy Pickerill would be leaving her role following the birth of Archie in May.
Meghan described the loss as 'very sad', with sources insisting the split was amicable with Ms Pickerill moving abroad.
She played a key role during the Duchess' Royal tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, including helping to
