Prince Harry’s Chief of Staff Departs After Three Months Following Mutual Agreement

Josh Kettler began working for the Duke of Sussex in early May, a week before his trip to Nigeria

Prince Harry and his new chief of staff have parted ways.

The Duke of Sussex’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, has left his position after three months, PEOPLE understands. Hired on a trial basis, the decision to part ways was mutual, with both sides agreeing it wasn’t the right fit.

Kettler, who started in his role just a week before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s official visit to Nigeria in May, also accompanied the Duke of Sussex on his trip to London to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., Kettler was previously chief of staff and head of strategic partnerships at the communication platform Cognixion.

The news comes less than two weeks after Francia Márquez, Colombia’s vice president and the first Black woman to hold the position, announced that Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, will visit Colombia in the future. Dates for the trip have not been released yet.

“As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country,” Márquez said in a statement.

The visit will include stops in Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, as well as Cartagena and Cali.

“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” Márquez added. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”

The trip to South America will be Prince Harry and Meghan’s second official international trip since they moved to the U.S. and settled in California in 2020. During the trip to Nigeria, they highlighted their Archewell Foundation’s mental health initiatives for young people and promoted the Invictus Games.