Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Closing Buckingham Palace Office, Shock Staff With Layoffs, Source Says

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are closing their office at Buckingham Palace and shocked their staff with layoffs.

Last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they were resigning from their royal rules. Prince Harry and Markle immediately flew to Canada following their bombshell announcement.

According to an insider, the couple will be closing their office at the Buckingham Palace leaving some of their staff jobless. Those who used to work with Prince Harry and Markle were reportedly informed ahead but they were still shocked. Meanwhile, selected staff who have served the palace for years were given the option to continue their employment. They will be absorbed into other royals within the royal household if they will choose to stay.

“ET has learned that because the Duke and Duchess will now be financially independent, the Royal family will no longer pay for their staff,” a source told Entertainment Tonight.

“A number of the employees asked to stay with the Duke and Duchess. Those moving on are all being reassigned and paid redundancy fees. In their new life, things will be streamlined and leaner with staff located closer to them, ET has learned.”

The staff were reportedly notified several weeks ago and shortly before the Sussexes made the announcement that they would be stepping back from their royal responsibilities and privileges. Many of the staff members were shocked “particularly after their hard work, discretion and intense loyalty.” Despite the shock, the insider added that it was a “practical” move for Prince Harry and Markle.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry reportedly called Queen Elizabeth II and asked Her Majesty to take him back. The prince also called his sister-in-law Kate Middleton to admit that he made a terrible mistake by leaving the royal family. Prince Harry reportedly felt isolated and was worried about paying the bills.

However, one should take the report with a grain of salt. Prince Harry and Markle are expected to earn more financially now that they are no longer working for the royal family. In fact, with their global income, they could dwarf Prince Charles’ income from his Duchy business.

A source also told Us Weekly that Prince Harry is happier in Canada. “So far he doesn’t regret the move,” the insider said.