Staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Hallo girl

Regardless of Norland or any other nanny, I find the comment ' defensive pram driving' rather flippant. WE have experienced terror attacks in Britain as have many other countries. All the family including a nanny would be prepared by the security services in how to react in the event of various scenarios.

I didn't coin the term defensive pram driving. It's been used to emphasize the skills of Norland nannies. That they are trained in defensive walking. Nothing flippant about commenting on a skill these nannies have.

It was put forward a top reason to select a Norland is because they are trained in this skill. Like it is a black belt in karate no other nanny woukd have or learn.

The reality is while the threat to the royal family is higher then a common family so is their security. The RPO and drivers take care of many of the concerns Norland are trained in. Any nanny, even a Norland, will still require further security training for safety if they took the job.

The main concern for any parent, Royal or not, will be choosing a nanny who fits with the family and they trust. Security is easily trained into anyone after.

If there is any staff who time is going to be taken on its a nanny.

[MARG]

It was me that mentioned the defensive pram training which I guess would be pretty useful for the safety and/or privacy of many a Norland Nanny's charge. They also have to pass "defensive or stunt driving" of the sort shown on TV that Meghan would need to do.

They are also trained in various martial/defensive arts. For the elite Nanny Agencies, such training is, unfortunately, necessary but also means that their nannies can command pretty good salaries. I don't believe they will be employing a glorified babysitter so, wherever he or she is trained, they are going to have the best training that suits the Sussexes.

Interestingly, they also have Agencies that train Butlers for the high-end market and they also are trained in martial arts. They are also trained how to iron the morning newspaper so it looks perfectly uncreased. Okay, there's a thought, perhaps they may hire a Butler instead of a Housekeeper.

[CTchic]

I was under the impression that Samantha Cohen was only temporary fir six months but I understand she is still working with the Sussexes. If they are so terrible to work for then why has she hung around?

[Rudolph]

I think the fact they’ve yet to find a private secretary is more telling.

For me that would be the first hire. A PS runs the whole operation. There’s been little information with regards to staffing.

[loonytick]

Samantha Cohen is their private secretary. If she hasn’t left, then they don’t need to replace her.

[Countessmeout]

It is possible due to the split of the households, Samantha was asked to stay on. They have a big transition right now, filling in new roles with their own office staff. Having a figure like Samantha stay on and help in the process makes sense.

Samantha leaving had nothing to do with not liking working for them. It was always intended she would leave, before she ever started working for them. She already agreed to prolong it. She was meant to leave six months after the wedding and remained on instead until after Archie was born.

Both Harry and Meghan will need a PS as well as other staff for their offices.

[MARG]

I remember reading that they were trying to persuade Samantha to stay on from Meghan's first engagement. She is obviously a woman of integrity and a dream to work with.

When Sir Christopher Geiht ran afoul of Charles and Andrew HM, not surprisingly, backed her son's and so he tendered his resignation. Samantha, as his deputy, resigned in solidarity but our wily Queen asked her to stay on working with Harry and Meghan to help Meghan get ready to become a member of the firm. She obliged and then the Sussexes were moving to Windsor and she stayed on, then Meghan was pregnant . . . . .

Perhaps Samantha is happy with the respect of HM and a totally new challenge working with the younger members, especially knowing that while Sir Christopher resigned, he was appointed head of the new Commonwealth department.

[Cocoasneeze]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I think the fact they’ve yet to find a private secretary is more telling.

For me that would be the first hire. A PS runs the whole operation. There’s been little information with regards to staffing.

We have no clue if they actually need a private secretary. Like you said, there's very little information with regards to staffing.

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Cocoasneeze

We have no clue if they actually need a private secretary. Like you said, there's very little information with regards to staffing.

They certainly do need a PS. It is strange that we have not heard anything on that front, but I would guess we hear of a hire (or that someone has been in the role for a bit already) by the tour.

[Pranter]

Someone has said Samantha is their PS.


LaRae

[ACO]

Samantha is doing the tour per correspondents. Seems she just sticking around for the foreseeable future.

[Lady Reem]

Originally Posted by MARG

I remember reading that they were trying to persuade Samantha to stay on from Meghan's first engagement. She is obviously a woman of integrity and a dream to work with.

When Sir Christopher Geiht ran afoul of Charles and Andrew HM, not surprisingly, backed her son's and so he tendered his resignation. Samantha, as his deputy, resigned in solidarity but our wily Queen asked her to stay on working with Harry and Meghan to help Meghan get ready to become a member of the firm. She obliged and then the Sussexes were moving to Windsor and she stayed on, then Meghan was pregnant . . . . .

Perhaps Samantha is happy with the respect of HM and a totally new challenge working with the younger members, especially knowing that while Sir Christopher resigned, he was appointed head of the new Commonwealth department.

As per the Court Circular the queen appointed Geidt as her Permanent Lord in Waiting. And this occurred not long after his “resignation” (lol) - so he *still* is her right hand man for all intents and purposes.

I’m just so glad they now have Sara Latham as a major figure as part of their team.

[Zaira]

It is being reported in the Sunday Papers that Harry and Meghan have hired Fiona Mcilwham to be their joint private secretary.

She is a high level diplomat with the FCO, and was one of the youngest ambassadors to ever serve the UK (she was Ambassador to Albania).

[Rudolph]

It’s debatable whether a former ambassador to Albania is a ‘high level’ diplomat but regardless it’s good to have someone in place.

Interestingly they’re sharing a private secretary much like Edward and Sophie.

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

It’s debatable whether a former ambassador to Albania is a ‘high level’ diplomat but regardless it’s good to have someone in place.

Interestingly they’re sharing a private secretary much like Edward and Sophie.

An ambassador no matter where they are stationed is literally the highest level of diplomat you can achieve absent the top job of Sec or Minister itself. But, per usual with some I suppose.

She was also director of the balkans office too.

All in all, she sounds like a fairly traditional choice.

Edited to add DM Article. The media has been saying for months that Heather Wong left, but she has been with Harry on his last few public engagements so...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...am-Sussex.html

[Curryong]

Sounds good. I've been wondering when this would happen.

If this is correct, it would be a terrific appointment. This lady has the credentials in diplomacy. I hope she's ready for the icy blasts delivered to the Sussexes from their critics in the media and elsewhere all the time, and can bring some stability to organising the Susexes' engagements throughout the year.

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Curryong

Sounds good. I've been wondering when this would happen.

If this is correct, it would be a terrific appointment. This lady has the credentials in diplomacy. I hope she's ready for the icy blasts delivered to the Sussexes from their critics in the media and elsewhere all the time, and can bring some stability to organising the Susexes' engagements throughout the year.

Sam Cohen stayed almost double the time she was suppose to, but I am glad they have someone else now.

Fiona is reportedly not slated to start until after the tour. Sam is helping with the tour. Sam will also remain in their orbit since she is on the board for the CW Trust.

[Countessmeout]

Former ambassador to Albania and later head if the western Balnkans office, certainly high level dioplmat no matter the country sent to.

Her partner is Daniel Korski, a former senior advisor to Cameron and head of the company Public. Bit controversial especially around Uber debate.

Glad they found a good choice to replace Samantha. Bit surprised sharing one but there will likely be an under secratary or two.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

It’s debatable whether a former ambassador to Albania is a ‘high level’ diplomat but regardless it’s good to have someone in place.

Interestingly they’re sharing a private secretary much like Edward and Sophie.

How is she not a one? Can you explain?

She looks like a good fit for them. I wonder if she will keep her twitter account. I'm also not surprised they only have a joint PS. They have only had one this entire time and it has been just fine for them.

[Rena M.]

Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a new private secretary. Fiona Mcilwham is a top level , and she will replace Samantha Cohen shortly after H & M tour of South Africa. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/cul...ate-secretary/