Meghan Markle's female bodyguard resigns after just six months making her the duchess' third close aide to quit in less than a year
A top female police officer is going to be quitting as chief protection officer to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after only 6 months into the job. The officer was one of the first women to have held such an important and key role in keeping members of the Royal Family safe from harm. When Meghan Markle was being whisked away from a crowded market in Fiji, the officer played a critical role. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge also have female protection officers on their teams.
It was reported last night that the officer had decided to resign from Scotland Yard. The news of the officer quitting follows the exit of Meghan's PA Melissa Toubati. Rumors suggest that Meghan's private secretary Samantha Cohen may also be leaving after working for the Royal Family for the past 17 years. As reported by DailyMail, a source shared that the officer is leaving the Metropolitan Police and though there was no personal clash with Meghan, the personal protection officers find it a huge challenge to accommodate the Duchess' wishes to be seen as 'one of the people'.
The source shared, "Unlike someone who has grown up in the Royal Family and has been used to having close protection from an early age, it can be constraining. Even though [Meghan] was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely."
"But in her current role she can’t go anywhere without her protection team, and that’s a massive constraining force on an individual like her," the source continued. The departure of the officer, who took over from Sergeant Bill Renshaw was reported by The Sunday Times. Sergeant Bill Renshaw had been Prince Harry's head of security and retired last year.
It is believed that the Metropolitan Police's Royalty and Specialist Protection branch may be trying to find another woman to replace the officer. It isn't known why the bodyguard is stepping down from the police, and she is believed to have been working with the Royal couple on improving security arrangements at their new home.
Meghan and Harry — who are expecting their first child in the spring — are moving from Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, on the Queen's Windsor estate.
This is the most recent of several high-profile resignations from Meghan's team.