Staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by _Heather_

Bingo. I don't particularly understand the whole "Meghan can do no wrong" way of thinking but to each his own, I guess. She's human just like all of us and like every other royal and therefore not even close to perfect. I'm always a little shocked, though I shouldn't be at this point, when some posters choose to place blame on everyone and everything else but are absolutely convinced that there is no possible way that Meghan could have done or said anything other than the absolute perfect thing and that anyone and everyone who might think otherwise is clearly biased and picking on her.

I don't think she can do no wrong (her outfit to Celia McCorquedale's wedding, need I say more?), but I just don't think she's what the tabloid is trying to paint with this recent narrative. Unless someone wants to tell me any specific example of her being "Hurricane Meghan" and "demanding and difficult"? I'm giving them every benefit of the doubt, and not even going into whether or not the events they said happened happened or not. I'm just going by what they said happened and it still doesn't reach what they are painting her as.

[Dman]

Lord, I hope no one would have a problem with a strong, mature, passionate and hard working woman being a senior member of the royal family. Because by reading some of the tabloid mess and some of the comments on social media, some see these admirable qualities as a threat. It’s not!

[TLLK]

(Since the Sussexes do not have a staff thread, I would expect this would be the place to post this news.)


The couples' interim private secretary will be resigning in April 2019. From what I recall the Sussexes think highly of her and did want her to stay on but it would appear that Samantha Cohen has decided to move on.



https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/n...ours-8zz9t5b2l

The couple’s highly regarded private secretary, Samantha Cohen, has let it be known that she intends to leave after Meghan’s baby is born next spring.

[jacqui24]

It’s nothing new. Samantha was announced as Interim Private Secretary. I don’t know if they ever officially gave a time frame, but it’s always been said as six months.

And I find it odd that they continue this narrative just to lay something at Meghan’s doorstep. Last time I checked, Samantha Cohen is Interim Private Secretary to TWO royals. But let’s continue the blame the woman train.

[Osipi]

That answers the question about Samantha Cohen. She's staying for longer than originally intended so that shoots down any theory that Meghan is causing staff to run for the hills.

[DeeT]

Back in May, when The Queen’s private secretary resigned, it was reported that Samantha would only be an interim placement with the Sussexes.

Seems like some press, are trying to make fake news stories by implying something different from what they originally reported last April & May.

[Curryong]

Even Samantha Cohen leaving a job that was never going to be permanent has not been allowed to stand without pointed insults about 'Duchess Difficult'.

[Lumutqueen]

Meghan's bodyguard to quit after just six months in the job - weeks after her PA walked out - as protection officers 'find the Duchess's wish to be "one of the people" challenging'

A top female police officer is leaving her job as chief protection officer to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The highly regarded inspector was the first woman to have held such a key role in keeping members of the Royal Family safe.

She played a critical role in whisking Meghan away from a crowded market in Fiji following security concerns.

But last night, after about only six months in the position, it was reported that she is resigning from Scotland Yard.

[Curryong]

In the article it states that this woman is not only leaving the Royal Protection Squad but Scotland Yard and the London Metropolitan Police Force. So it appears she has made a decision to leave police work behind altogether, hardly something to hold Meghan responsible for.

[jacqui24]

It’s an odd article. It doesn’t actually list any specific incident to explain what the challenge of “being one of the people” is? It goes back to the Fiji incident, which isn’t anything related to that. But I supposed they want to continue to paint a certain narrative of Meghan without any evidence or incidents. And listing Sam Cohen, who was always temporary, leaving as because of Meghan, GMAB. Perhaps they should actually go back why she resigned from HM’s office as why she’s leaving the royal family.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by Curryong

In the article it states that this woman is not only leaving the Royal Protection Squad but Scotland Yard and the London Metropolitan Police Force. So it appears she has made a decision to leave police work behind altogether, hardly something to hold Meghan responsible for.

I noticed that too. That’s literally the story but it’s buried in there because that’s not interesting. I get Meghan sells but come on.

[Rudolph]

She maybe leaving the Met because there’s no other options if she didn’t want to guard Meghan. If it was such a good gig she probably wouldn’t leave in the first place

[jacqui24]

All of Met can't find one position?

Sometimes people don't leave a job because they don't like it, but for other opportunities. I don't know about UK, but in US, high end private security or contracting is a lot more lucrative than public work.

[Heavs]

There are literally thousands of reasons people leave the police beyond one supposedly difficult protectee (who is far from the only member of the family to want to get as involved with the crowd as possible). The Met has had a lot of retention problems for many years. Including because the same job privately pays a lot more.

[Lilyflo]

Originally Posted by Curryong

In the article it states that this woman is not only leaving the Royal Protection Squad but Scotland Yard and the London Metropolitan Police Force. So it appears she has made a decision to leave police work behind altogether, hardly something to hold Meghan responsible for.

I agree there's no evidence that Meghan has caused the woman to quit. She might want to move to a different part of the UK & could have a job lined up with another police force or perhaps going to work privately as personal security for people overseas. I imagine her skills would be highly sought after & rewarded.

[Osipi]

I would imagine too that those that contacted the Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard to get a statement of just *why* these departures are happening, they would run into the standard brick wall they're very used to being "No Comment".

[jacqui24]

Since we are on this topic, I will say, one thing that bothered me about the reporting on this is that they made some pointed remarks and put the attention on this woman during a very high profile tour. That was even before the Fiji issue. It does make security's job difficult as they are supposed to blend in for the most part. That's not just to make their charge more comfortable, but it is actually better in terms of their ability to protect their charge. I would think that made her job a lot more difficult than anything else.

Of course the tabloids had a field day reporting that *gasp* she wore a skirt and looks pretty. When was the last time they reported on a what a male RPO wore?

[ACO]

They also did a whole spread on the fact she wore heels. They put a lot of attention on her during the tour constantly pointing her out. Honestly if I were offered a private gig with more money and less media hassle, I would jump at it. Either way wish her the best!

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by Heavs

There are literally thousands of reasons people leave the police beyond one supposedly difficult protectee (who is far from the only member of the family to want to get as involved with the crowd as possible). The Met has had a lot of retention problems for many years. Including because the same job privately pays a lot more.

Agree. This is the most plausible explanation.

Had she left for "adjustment" reasons, she would simply have been assigned to a new job within the police, and there could be reason to speculate that it might be because she had personal issues with her charge.
But as she is leaving the police altogether, this smells more like she has been headhunted to a new and no doubt much better paid job in the private security sector. A former protection officer, who had some seniority, is an attractive employee for security firms.

[AdmirerUS]

JMO, but I have never thought being a RPO was a great job for a great law enforcement officer. There is little need for investigation, opportunity to influence, the scrutiny must be crazy and the pay is not great. I wish her all the best.