By Molly Claire Goddard
6:40am PST, Dec 30, 2025
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James Holt, the executive director of Archewell Philanthropies, is leaving after nearly a decade of working with
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The aide moved with them from England to the United States in 2020 to work for their organization.
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In a statement, James Holt gushed over his partnership with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. "Working with
Prince Harry and Meghan has been one of the great privileges of my career," he said in a message obtained by
Tom Sykes'
The Royalist Substack. "From my first project with
Prince Harry eight years ago to improve mental health support for soldiers in the British military, to our recent work helping injured children in Gaza, he has consistently challenged me to think bigger about how we can make a difference."
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Despite rumors that she is
challenging to work with, Meghan Markle holds a special place in James Holt's heart. "I recognized a kindred spirit. Someone who finds joy even in difficult moments and connects authentically with people regardless of circumstance," he said of the former
Suits star. "Above everything else, the work we've done together to support families affected by online harm will remain the most meaningful of my professional life. These families are extraordinary, and they inspire me every day."
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Although he's stepping down, James Holt remains optimistic about the future of
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's company. "It's time for my family to return to London. When I pass the baton to the team leading Archewell Philanthropies in the coming months, I'll do so with immense pride and optimism for what lies ahead," he said. "I'll miss my colleagues deeply and I'm grateful to Harry and Meghan for everything they've done. For me and for the countless people we've worked to support."
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle expressed their gratitude for James Holt. "His enthusiasm and talent in overseeing our philanthropic endeavors have been extraordinary," they said in a statement. "As James moves his young family back to the U.K., we are proud that he will continue to guide various humanitarian trips for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies."
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Archewell Philanthropies is facing numerous changes in the new year, as
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tenth publicist in five years resigned. A spokesperson told Tom Sykes'
The Royalist Substack that
Meredith Maines, who signed on as the pair's communications chief in early 2025, will step down in January.
