Tensions are rising behind the scenes at Archewell
James Holt, the chief executive of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s charitable foundation Archewell is moving back to the UK with his family and he feels the timing is not ideal.
A source told Mail that Holt is “frustrated that his move comes at a time of significant transition for the Duke and Duchess,” adding that he plans to stay a few more months to keep things running at Archewell.
“He is very protective of the couple and worried that this will cause them grief,” the insider said.
Holt’s departure is the latest shake-up in a long line of exits from the Sussexes’ team since the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to California in 2020.
The communications department in particular has seen a revolving door of talent. Last week, Meredith Maines, the foundation’s communications director, became the 11th publicist to leave over the past five years.
Other notable exits in recent months include Charlie Gipson, who oversaw European communications and left in July, and US press secretary Kyle Boulia, who left in June along with four other staffers.
Emily Robinson, a former Netflix communications director, left in October, while previous departures include Toya Holness, who left as head of communications in May 2022, and Ashley Hansen, global press secretary from May 2022 to October 2024.
Holt, who first began working with Prince Harry eight years ago at the Royal Foundation in 2017, has long been a stabilizing presence for the Sussexes.
