Meghan Markle 'very sad' at loss of another royal aide
![Meghan is ‘very upset’ at the loss of a fourth royal aide. [Photo: Getty Images.]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Nh53tYargKTP3U9eKAKqdA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/9f40932b3ad71bc4c3d391cfba13096d)
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly very upset after losing another royal aide.
Meghan Markle’s assistant private secretary Amy Pickerill, has been working for the new royal since January last year, and is now believed to be moving on in the coming months.
Amy is reported to be staying on until the birth of baby Sussex before moving overseas, when she will become the fourth person to leave Meghan and Harry’s employment since their May wedding.
A palace source told Daily Mail that Meghan was ‘very sad’ upon hearing the news, but has remained on ‘very amicable’ terms with Amy.
An amicable split
“Amy and Meghan will stay in touch because they are so close,” the palace source, who described Meghan and Amy’s relationship as ‘really strong’, said.
“I’ve no doubt they will continue to speak and Amy will continue to support Meghan,” they insisted.
Meanwhile a royal insider told People that Amy is leaving on ‘very amicable’ terms.
“They will stay in touch and Amy will remain as a personal adviser to her in the longer term,” the source said. “They are very close.”
![Amy Pickerill, assistant private secretary to Meghan, is reportedly set to depart from the royal household next month. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5XKCpTZ06wiKjTzJjPA6Sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU4Mg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/c650b1e40cc84b54100e58867ab58103)
READ MORE: ‘The Royal Family isn’t ready for Meghan Markle’s feminist comments’
Three other key royal aides resigned
News of the resignation comes after Harry and Meghan lost three palace aides within six months of the royal wedding in May last year.
Meghan’s personal assistant, Melissa, resigned towards the end of 2018 with a source confirming to the Daily Mail, it was a “real shock”.
Kensington Palace declined to comment on the reports, but an insider did pay tribute to the PA.
“Melissa is a hugely talented person,” the source said. “She played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Wedding and will be missed by everyone in the Royal Household.”
The Duchess of Sussex’s personal secretary, Samantha Cohen, also made the decision to leave the royal household in December last year, The Times previously reported.
![Australian, Samantha Cohen, who has worked for the family for 17 years, apparently handed in her resignation, just weeks after Meghan’s personal assistant, known as Melissa, quit. [Photo: Getty Images]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bx1SlkSIlcK0DcdZwwADSA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE5OTU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/a289318c7054d9ea8c3812724b61df9e)
Aussie born Samantha, who worked for the royal family for 17 years, used to work closely with the Queen and is said to have been one of her ‘most trusted’ aides.
Samantha was reportedly tasked with teaching the new duchess all about royal etiquette.
These two resignations follow on from that of Edward Lane Fox who was essentially Harry’s “right-hand man,” before his departure in April last year after 15 years in the role.
