Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again making headlines—but this time, it’s not for a Netflix deal or a royal feud. According to a new report by Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have now let go of 25 staff members since moving to the U.S. in 2020.
The most recent job cuts? Their own in-house PR reps. In an effort to save money, the couple has reportedly chosen to outsource their publicity to an external firm—an industry move that’s turning heads.
“They cycle through staff as quickly as normal people cycle through toilet paper,” one royal insider told the outlet. “Milk lasts longer than their employees.”
The shocking quote highlights a growing pattern: high staff turnover seems to be the norm in Camp Sussex. And while the couple’s official stance is budget management, many are questioning the real reasons behind the staffing shuffle.
Experts in the PR world admit that hiring an agency is far more cost-effective than maintaining a full-time in-house team. “In a financial sense, it’s cheaper to employ a PR firm, as opposed to having full-time staff,” one industry veteran explained.
But money might be tighter than fans realize. Despite living in a $27 million Montecito mansion, the Sussexes are facing massive ongoing expenses—including an estimated $2 million in annual security bills and a hefty $288,000 yearly property tax.
Back in 2020, Harry and Meghan reportedly put down a $5 million deposit on the mansion and took out a $9.5 million mortgage, which they’ll be paying off until 2050. That’s a 30-year commitment—and with income from Spotify now gone and Netflix deals reportedly cooling, it’s no wonder they’re reevaluating how they manage their finances.
Their sprawling estate isn’t just a home—it’s also home to several employees who help run their production efforts and charity work through the Archewell Foundation. That means payroll is still very much a part of their financial burden, even with fewer bodies on the direct team.
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The optics, however, aren’t great. Royal watchers and critics are once again questioning whether the couple’s “independent” lifestyle in America is sustainable. Firing a 25th employee has reignited conversations about instability within their camp—and what that says about life behind their polished public image.
Some royal commentators argue that high turnover is a red flag, not just a budgeting move. “It’s not just about saving money,” said one source familiar with celebrity PR. “If you’re constantly letting people go, it suggests internal chaos or unrealistic expectations.”
The move to use a PR firm could streamline their image-building efforts, but it also means less control over their public messaging—something the Sussexes have historically tried to keep tightly managed.
While critics are having a field day with the numbers, fans argue that the couple is simply evolving, adapting to a tough economy and learning to run a business like any other celebrity brand. But even supporters admit the optics of firing over two dozen staff members is hard to spin in a positive light.
So far, neither Harry nor Meghan has addressed the latest report directly, and it’s unclear whether more layoffs are on the horizon. But one thing’s for sure—the pressure to maintain their lavish lifestyle while reshaping their public image is growing by the day.
From palace halls to Hollywood calls, the Sussex saga continues to unfold—and it seems like their next big battle isn’t with the Crown, but with the cost of their American dream.
