Meghan Markle’s ‘Difficult’ Problem: Aide Amy Pickerill Quits

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Another Meghan Aide Quits

Meghan Markle has developed an unfortunate reputation for being a difficult boss, and reports that she is now losing yet another key member of staff, her private secretary Amy Pickerill, will do little to dispel those rumors.

The palace are trying to spin the development as natural attrition, with palace sources telling Harpers Bazaar, who broke the story, that Pickerill plans on “spending some time abroad,” and is simply announcing her departure now so that “with the baby coming” she can “help recruit someone now who can pick up when the Duchess returns to her official work.”

The trouble with this narrative is that three other women who have worked for Meghan have quit in recent months: her female police protection officer, the queen’s former aide Samantha ‘the Panther’ Cohen and PA Melissa Touabti (who has a new job working for the Livingstone family, owners of the stately home Cliveden and among the richest families in the UK).

Meghan has been labelled ‘Duchess Difficult’ but plenty of demanding bosses retain staff. A more prosaic explanation for the rash of departures could be the terrible rates of pay offered by the palace.

Touabti, for example, was believed to be on a paltry salary of around $42,000 per annum, which doesn’t go far in London, one of the world’s most expensive cities.

No doubt Meghan is a demanding boss. Pay scales should reflect that. The days of people happily toiling in royal household jobs for nothing on the unspoken understanding they will get a minor honor at the end are long gone.

Taking Charge

The royal family marked International Women’s Day on Friday with the announcement that Meghan Markle had a new job as vice-president (with Her Maj) of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, where she will highlight the trust’s partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth.

Meghan, 37, hosted a panel discussion on Friday afternoon on female empowerment, convened by the trust, to mark IWD.

Despite, in a former life, being an enthusiastic user of social media and running her own blog, The Tig, she declared that she doesn’t go on Twitter or Facebook or read press coverage about herself.

“I don't read anything, it’s much safer that way, but equally that's just my own personal preference, because I think positive or negative, it can all sort of just feel like noise to a certain extent these days,” she said.

Touchy Feely

As the two young royal families head towards their definitive split, a sign of things to come for what is politely referred to as their “very different styles.” Prince Harry made a barnstorming appearance at We Day, a movement which encourages youth activism and social engagement, which the rapturous reception turning giddy when he announced he was “going to try to drag my wife on stage!”

As Meghan and Harry embraced for the cheering, adulatory crowd, William and Kate were touring derelict houses in the rain-sodden seaside town of Blackpool. But maybe Kate and William have picked up some tips from Harry and Meghan; they were spotted holding hands, rather sweetly, as they scurried towards the helicopter waiting to take them on their mission.

Power Play in Thailand

If you think the British royal family seems like a nest of vipers sometimes, consider Thailand, where an opposition political party was forcibly dissolved last week at the request of the King, because it had named his sister as its candidate for prime minister.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, ordered the constitutional court to dissolve the party for “an act antagonistic toward the constitutional monarchy”. The princess, responding to yesterday’s decision on Instagram, wrote: “I have heard the news. It is sad and depressing.”

Thailand has been governed by a junta since a coup in 2014 overthrew the government.

The Queen’s First Instagram

The Queen sent her first Instagram this week on a visit to Britain’s Science Museum. The text of her message suggests that she is not a digital native. Ready? OK, here goes (and just try to avoid putting on your best queen voice as you read this): “Today, as I visit the Science Museum I was interested to discover a letter from the Royal Archives, written in 1843 to my great-great-grandfather Prince Albert.

“Charles Babbage, credited as the world’s first computer pioneer, designed the “Difference Engine”, of which Prince Albert had the opportunity to see a prototype in July 1843.

In the letter, Babbage told Queen Victoria and Prince Albert about his invention the ‘Analytical Engine’ upon which the first computer programs were created by Ada Lovelace, a daughter of Lord Byron.

“Today, I had the pleasure of learning about children’s computer coding initiatives and it seems fitting to me that I publish this Instagram post, at the Science Museum which has long championed technology, innovation and inspired the next generation of inventors.

“Elizabeth R.”

Actually, it’s amazing. Let us all insta like Her Maj.

Royal Fashion Watch

All eyes were on Meghan and Kate at the party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles’ investiture as Prince of Wales. But the best outfits of the day belonged to Charles himself and his mother, the queen. The latter, lately, has been looking especially sharp in a series of excellent jackets and coats, the fitted purple number on Thursday being a regal addition. Meanwhile, Charles showed the power of a good pinstripe suit. In variously mimsy, over-formal, and just plain boring suits, the young royals paled in comparison.

This Week in Royal History

Prince Edward was born on March 10, 1964. The queen’s youngest child turns 55 today. Married since 1999 to Sophie, Countess of Wessex, the couple have two children and now live fairly quietly after long-ago various scandals and controversies (most notoriously for him: It’s a Royal Knockout; for her, a tabloid sting involving ‘fake Sheikh’ Mazher Mahmood).

Prince Charles is said to respect Edward’s hard-working ethos, and—right now at least—his young brother seems content to let other members of his family occupy the spotlight...and stay scandal-free.

Next Week

Meghan and Harry will do their bit for the Commonwealth, attending an event at Canada House on Monday March 11 to showcase and celebrate the diverse community of young Canadians living in London and around the UK. Meghan, of course, has a special place in her heart for Canada, having lived in Toronto for several years when filming Suits.

On Tuesday, Kate, in her role as Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, will attend the 2019 NPG London Portrait Gala.