A turbulent period for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has taken yet another twist — as their renowned personal secretary has announced she is set to quit.
Samantha Cohen, 50, will leave her role after the birth of their child in spring.
Confirmation that she is leaving — revealed by the Times — comes just weeks after another aide suddenly resigned amid rumors that the Duchess is difficult to work for.
Cohen — nicknamed “Samantha the Panther” for her feisty attitude — used to be one of the Queen’s most trusted aides before moving to work for Meghan and Harry.
She has served as a communications secretary and has spent 17 years working for the royal family.
One of her key roles was said to be training Meghan in royal etiquette.
The Australian, who is a mother of three, was filling a role left vacant by Edward Lane Fox, and Harry and Meghan reportedly wanted her to stay on in the role.
A source close to Meghan said: “Sam will be a huge loss.
“Going forward, Meghan might need someone cut from a slightly different cloth to traditional courtiers, who is not a career civil servant or royal insider.”
Another high-profile aide for Meghan, Melissa Toubati, 39, sensationally resigned just six months after the royal wedding.
The French assistant who played a “pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding” ditched her appointment after “putting up with a lot.”
A source told the Mirror: “Her job was highly pressurized and in the end it became too much.
“She put up with quite a lot. Meghan put a lot of demands on her and it ended up with her in tears.
“She is hugely talented and played a pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding. She’ll be missed by everyone in the household.
“Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job, but things came to a head and it was easier for them both to go their separate ways.”
The PA had previously worked “happily” for Robbie Williams.