Prince William, Kate Middleton’s Personal Assistant Not Quitting After New Year Honours

Prince William and Kate Middleton’s personal assistant, Natasha Archer, is rumored to be quitting after being a made a member of The Royal Victorian Order in the New Year’s Honors list, which recognizes distinguished personal service to the monarchy.

The award has been dubbed the “kiss of death” by royal observers since it is oftentimes given to staff shortly before they resign. The recent announcement led royal fans to speculate on Archer’s resignation.

“Natasha Archer, The Duchess of Cambridge’s PA, has been made a member of The Royal Victorian Order. This kinda confirms my speculation that she’ll be leaving the team after the birth of baby Theo but we’ll have to wait and see,” one fan tweeted.

However, a spokesperson for Kensington Palace said that Archer has no plans to leave the royal household anytime soon. Middleton’s personal assistant is just on maternity leave at the moment.

Gert’s Royals, a blog about the royal family, also said that Archer probably received the recognition because she has worked for the royal family for years and not because she will resign from her post.

“And I think when someone is leaving, they are typically given the honor after they leave. Not before,” the blog noted.

Archer has worked for Prince William and Middleton since 2007. She has also served as Middleton’s stylist and personal assistant and has become one of the most recognizable faces among the royal entourage.

Last week, she and her husband Chris Jackson, a photographer for Getty, welcomed their son Theo.

In related news, Prince William and Middleton are not the only royals linked to the departure of their staff. In recent weeks, a handful of Markle’s personal aides have also resigned from their job.

Next year, it is also believed that Samantha Cohen, Queen Elizabeth II’s former private secretary, will also leave the royal household after Markle gives birth. The Duchess of Sussex is scheduled to welcome her first child with Prince Harry sometime in the Spring of 2019.

According to E! News, Cohen will help Markle and Prince Harry find her replacement.