The head of the foundation established by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has resigned, just days after the couple lost their 11th publicist in five years.
James Holt, executive director of Archewell Philanthropies, named after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first child, Archie, said he would “pass the baton” on from his role in the coming months.
Holt oversaw global impact and communications for its predecessor, Archewell Foundation, which was set up in October 2020 after Harry and Meghan embarked on new lives in America.
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Sources told The Sun that Holt, who previously worked as the head of communications for the couple, and for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, left the role to spend more time in London with his family.
He was reported to have earned $207,405 with a bonus of $20,000 in 2022. He had a salary of $59,846 in 2021, according to a public disclosure form filed with the American tax authorities.
In a statement, Holt said: “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.
“From the moment I met Meghan, I recognised a kindred spirit — someone who finds joy even in difficult moments and connects authentically with people regardless of circumstance.
“After five incredible years in Los Angeles, it’s time for my family to return to London,” he added.
“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.”
Holt attends the 2022 Invictus Games in the Netherlands. He said Harry had “consistently challenged me to think bigger about how we can make a difference”
PATRICK VAN KATWIJK/GETTY IMAGES
Holt featured prominently in the Netflix special, Harry & Meghan, a six-part documentary series chronicling the couple’s life after they stepped down as working royals and moved to California.
His departure comes after it was announced that Meredith Maines, the couple’s chief communications officer, was stepping down.
Meredith Maines, the chief communications officer, also resigned this month
@MEREDITHKENDALL/X
The loss of Maines was believed to be a blow to the couple, following on from the recent loss of several other communications executives.
During her tenure, she had helped to orchestrate a brief reunion between Prince Harry and his father over tea at Clarence House in September, the first meeting between the King and his younger son for 19 months.
In July, Charlie Gipson, the couple’s European communications director, left his post a month after Kyle Boulia, the couple’s US-based press secretary. Both were in their roles for a little over a year. Some, however, have served even shorter terms.
Josh Kettler quit his role as Harry’s chief of staff in August 2024 after just three months. He had been hired to “guide” Harry through the next phase of his career and had travelled with the Sussexes on their visit to Nigeria. He left his position before a planned trip to Colombia.
Josh Kettler was hired as Harry’s chief of staff, but quit the role after only three months
KARWAI TANG/GETTY IMAGES
Maines’s departure comes after Meghan and Harry attended a birthday party hosted by Kris Jenner, 70, the night before the UK marked Remembrance Sunday. Images of the Sussexes briefly appeared on social media before they were taken down.
Meghan and Harry travelled to Colombia without Kettler, who had been due to accompany the couple
CARLOS ORTEGA/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK
There had been rumours of Maines’s departure for several weeks before it was reported in The Sun on Friday. The Daily Mail quoted a source who described it as “a miserable and impossible job”.