James Holt, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's top advisor, has resigned after more than five years of serving the couple.
Holt, the executive who has overseen Archewell's operations since 2021, has officially resigned from his role in the United States and is preparing to return to London with his family under unclear and widely speculated circumstances.
He previously served as the couple's communications chief from 2019 to 2021, the period in which the Sussexes stepped away from frontline royal duties and relocated to America.
Holt moved to California alongside the couple and was also featured in their popular Netflix documentary series, where he discussed the political climate of Brexit influencing harmful public narratives that overshadowed the Duchess's early royal experience.
His professional ties to Prince Harry began in 2017 at the Royal Foundation, back when it operated under the former title representing the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry in his earlier royal capacity.
Holt's resignation lands during a turbulent period for Archewell, which recently confirmed several redundancies, and the departure of three senior staff members from the organisation, including the director of programs, Kristen Slevin.
Archewell's most recent 2024 public financial filing revealed Holt received a salary of $245,000, while overall organisational spending increased to $5.1 million, up from $3.3 million the year prior.
Total donations were reported at $2.1 million, while external grants delivered by the charity amounted to $1.25 million.
In a public statement, Holt acknowledged the efforts of his colleagues, highlighting their work supporting families navigating digital safety challenges as a continued source of daily inspiration.
He also reflected on his involvement in large-scale projects, including mental health support for defence personnel, assistance programs for injured children in Gaza, and broader humanitarian relief missions.
"Working with Prince Harry and Meghan has been one of the great privileges of my career," he said.
Holt was last seen with the couple back in October at the World Mental Health Day events and was not present in a food bank picture in November with the Archewell team.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly praised Holt, crediting his leadership and long-term vision for shaping their global philanthropic framework, as the organisation transitions into Archewell Philanthropies.
"James has been a stellar support for us for nearly 10 years. His enthusiasm and talent in overseeing our philanthropic endeavours have been extraordinary," the couple said.
"As James moves his young family back to the UK, we are proud that he will continue to guide various humanitarian trips for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies."
Holt's departure follows the separate resignation of the Sussexes' Chief Communications Officer, Meredith Maines, who confirmed she would leave the role after less than a year.
Maines said she would be taking on a new professional opportunity in 2026, after describing her time working with the couple as personally motivating and purpose-driven.
Her exit marks another in a long pattern of turnovers, with public commentary noting Maines is among the reported 11 communications professionals to leave the couple's advisory and press operations in the past five years.