Harry and Meghan bad bosses? Nonsense, say loyal staffers who gush that the Sussexes ‘water the seeds so that we can flourish’ in flood of online posts after claims ‘Duchess Difficult’ was ‘a dictator in high heels’ who ‘terrified’ workers

Aides loyal to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave the couple a glowing report last night, as a verbal battle over Meghan being a “dictator in high heels” continued.

Current and former staff members staged a remarkable intervention in the friendly US media, describing the Sussexes as “caring” bosses who give their staff their children’s old baby clothes, fresh flowers and “care packages”.

Stung by recent allegations, most notably by the Hollywood Reporter, that ‘Duchess Difficult’ has reduced grown men to tears while ‘barking’ orders, a number of employees gave a remarkably rosy picture of their working lives to US Weekly.

Josh Kettler, Harry’s chief of staff, who left in August after just three months, sparking the latest wave of negative publicity, insists he was “warmly welcomed” by both Harry and Meghan, describing them as “dedicated and hardworking”.

Meghan has reportedly been branded a ‘dictator in high heels’ by her staff

Pictured: Catherine St-Laurent, Meghan and Harry’s former chief of staff

Pictured: Josh Kettler, Harry’s chief of staff who left in August after just three months

“It was impressive to see,” he said, but he did not elaborate on why his tenure was so short.

Ben Browning, Archewell’s former content director who was responsible for their revealing Netflix documentary but left before his contract expired, says his experiences at the company and with Meghan and Harry in general have been “positive and supportive.”

Her current PR chief, “global press officer” Ashley Hansen, says they treated her with “the kind of care and concern a parent would show for their own child” when she took time off for surgery, and sent her flowers and gifts.

“Meghan personally reached out to my husband every day to make sure we were okay and that we had support. It meant so much to him and even more to me. You don’t realize how much that kindness and attention means until you need it,” she continued.

Another anonymous source insists the Duke and Duchess are “watering the seeds” so they can flourish. Harry, they say, asks during Zoom calls at work what staff have been up to over the weekend and says that as a team they are planning events such as karaoke nights and “holiday parties.”

A former staff member said the couple learned they had adopted a dog. “The next day, there was a fancy brand leash and a new collar on the doorstep.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 11 in Hollywood, California

Meghan attends a reception at Government House in Melbourne, Australia on October 18, 2018

Maer Roshan (pictured), co-editor of the publication, has said he stands by the story despite the backlash from supporters of the Sussexes.

Prince Harry and Meghan pictured during their tour of Columbia on August 17

The expectant parents will also receive ‘brand new gifts and second-hand items from the bride and groom themselves’, it was said. ‘Such as unused car seats and baby items that they no longer need.’

“They want to take care of us,” cheered one current employee. “Meghan does things like, ‘You said in the interview that your skin is bothering you, I put together a kit for you.’

And it was said that no one leaves the couple’s Montecito home empty-handed. “When staff goes to their home, they always leave with a basket of fresh flowers, fresh fruit, fresh eggs,” one staff member said.

“The best bosses I’ve ever had,” claims another current team member.

It stands in stark contrast to recent reports of a series of departures from their organization Archewell, which combines their media deals with philanthropic activities.

The latest report that the Duchess of Sussex is a “dictator in high heels” has reportedly come from someone “in a high position” who still works for the couple.

The original Hollywood Reporter article also stated that Meghan “won’t take advice” and has “reduced grown men to tears” while “barking” orders.

Toya Holness previously worked for the Sussexes as an international press officer

Prince Harry and Meghan attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, watches the awards ceremony at the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge on April 12

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured during their visit to Colombia on August 15

Maer Roshan, the publication’s co-editor-in-chief, later said he still stands by the story, despite the negative reaction from the Sussexes’ supporters.

Mr Roshan says that in addition to speaking to a dozen people who have worked closely with Harry and Meghan “currently and in the past”, he also told Access Hollywood that “our reporter spoke to a very senior source who works for the couple and who said everyone is terrified of Meghan”.

They say the former royal family “belittles people” and “doesn’t take advice”.

The sudden outpouring of praise will do little to dampen speculation about the couple’s behavior.

The Duchess herself has always strongly denied any bullying of her staff, particularly in the UK, claiming that the staff are part of a “calculated smear campaign” against her.

Mr Roshan added: ‘Duchess Difficult is a nickname that has followed Meghan for a number of years.

“The new thing is that since coming to America, there has been a perception that many of these rumors are fabricated by the palace. The reporting that we have done suggests that this is probably not true. There is still an underlying fear.”

Buckingham Palace launched its own investigation after the bullying allegations were made public, but refused to release the results of its findings.

Insiders have previously expressed concern to the Mail that former employees who may have had evidence to support claims she bullied several female staff members while living in the UK as a working royal have never been spoken to as part of their internal investigation.

The newspaper also revealed that former employees called themselves ‘The Sussex Survivors Club’ and that some suffered from a form of PTSD.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured on Day 6 of the 2023 Invictus Games

Meghan breaks down in tears as they talk about the online hate campaign against her and their relationship in their Netflix series

Meghan and Prince Harry are seen at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata during their Columbia tour

It will no doubt be worrying for the Duke and Duchess that similar allegations have followed them to the United States and that this could be the reason for the latest counter-attack.

The Hollywood Reporter article also described the couple as “both bad decision makers” who “change their minds often.” Harry was called “a very, very charming person” but still “a real ally.”

While they have yet to make an official comment, a source “close” to Harry and Meghan denied the claims last week.

They also claimed that a note in her email signature stating that staff should not feel obliged to respond outside normal office hours was evidence that she was not demanding. Staff have previously accused her of sending work emails at antisocial hours.

This comes as Prince Harry makes a series of public appearances in New York ahead of a charity visit to the UK on Monday.

He joked about his wasted youth and spoke of his love for his own children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in a plea for better protection for children from the “harm” caused by social media.

Speaking at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative event, he said: ‘Some say kids will be kids, and that may be true. Kids can get into trouble. I know a thing or two about that. But our kids are being targeted. The harms of social media are intentional.

“These platforms are designed to create addiction….Young people are trapped there by mindless, endless, numbing scrolling and are forced to watch content that no child should ever be exposed to.”