AceShowbiz - In a surprising move, Josh Kettler, the newly-appointed Chief of Staff for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has stepped down just as the couple prepares for a significant tour of Colombia. His resignation, coming only three months after his appointment, has cast a spotlight on the challenges faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in retaining key staff members.

Josh Kettler, who had previously shown his prowess at renowned firms like Patagonia and Lions Gate Films, was believed to be an ideal guide for Prince Harry through a new phase of his career. Kettler's tenure, however, was unexpectedly brief.

He was instrumental in several high-profile engagements, including Prince Harry's visit to London for the Invictus Games' 10th anniversary and a three-day tour of Nigeria, where he accompanied Harry and Meghan during official meetings.

The timing of Kettler's departure is critical, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are about to embark on an upcoming four-day tour of Colombia. This tour is highly anticipated, as the couple will visit Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, participating in activities focused on promoting safer digital environments for children.

Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez invited the couple, emphasizing that the conference they will attend could create a global framework for addressing cyberbullying and online exploitation.

Kettler's departure adds to an already troubled record of staff retention for the Sussexes. Since their marriage in 2018, they have seen at least 18 staff members leave, nine of which were noted after their move to California in 2020. A former Archewell employee commented, "What may be most telling is that the entire time I worked there, I don't think I heard a single current or former employee on their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance."

Moreover, the Sussexes' staffing challenges are not unique. High-profile departures from their Archewell organization include the CEO of Invictus Games Harry Reid, and TV company manager Bennett Levine. This churn underscores the broader difficulties the couple faces in maintaining a stable team, despite their high-profile mission and initiatives.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare for their Colombia tour without Kettler, they are surrounded by anticipation and scrutiny. This tour is particularly significant because of Meghan's Nigerian heritage and the social causes the couple supports.

However, a shadow looms over Harry due to his past admission of cocaine use. A supposed friend of Prince William criticized Harry's previous actions, suggesting he should apologize for his involvement in drug use due to its devastating impact on Colombia.