In a significant move to streamline their operations and reduce expenses, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have significantly diminished their connections with their communications staff, as reported by Page Six. This decision aligns with their ongoing efforts to manage their finances more effectively amid changing circumstances.

Just last month, it was disclosed that the couple, often referred to as the renegade royals, had parted ways with an additional six employees, including two in-house representatives. This marks a notable shift in their staffing structure.

Since stepping back from their roles as working royals in 2020, the couple has reportedly lost or let go of approximately 25 staff members, with some departures yet to be publicly confirmed, indicating a larger trend of turnover within their team.

Their lucrative deal with Netflix, initially rumored to be worth up to $100 million, is set to expire this year. However, insiders suggest that the actual figure may be closer to $20 million, raising questions about their future financial stability and strategic direction.

As one royal insider humorously noted, “It’s the same old story – they cycle through staff quicker than most people go through toilet paper. Milk lasts longer than their employees.” This statement underscores the high turnover rate within their team.

While the couple achieved notable success with their docuseries “Harry & Meghan” and the heartfelt show “With Love, Meghan,” their other projects, such as “Heart of Invictus” and “Polo,” garnered less attention and viewership.

Furthermore, Netflix is now prioritizing ‘first look’ agreements over comprehensive exclusive contracts, potentially leading to a situation where the Sussexes may need to renegotiate for significantly lower compensation than their current arrangement.

This development poses a challenge for the couple, who are contending with substantial financial obligations, including travel expenses and an annual security bill estimated to be around $2 million. The pressure of maintaining their lifestyle amidst these changes is mounting.

As previously reported by Page Six, the Sussexes invested $14.65 million in their home after relocating to the United States, and its current estimated value is approximately $27 million. This significant real estate investment adds to their financial responsibilities.

Public records reveal they secured a mortgage of $9.5 million, which is to be repaid, along with interest, by 2050, suggesting a substantial initial deposit of $5 million. Additionally, they face a hefty annual property tax bill of $288,000.

They are also responsible for the costs associated with their communications team, their private office, the Archewell Foundation, production expenses, and staff salaries at their residence in Montecito, CA.

Moreover, the Sussexes reportedly cover part of their “faux overseas trips,” which have included visits to Nigeria and Colombia, further adding to their financial outlay.

Recently, they have also lost key personnel, including Kyle Boulia, their deputy press secretary based in Los Angeles, and Charlie Gipson, who served as their European communications director.

Furthermore, they have parted ways with Deesha Tank, the director of communications at Archewell, and Lianne Cashin, the former head of operations at the same organization.

Additional departures include Markle’s social media manager and a personal assistant, whose names have not been disclosed.

Currently, Meredith Maines serves as the couple’s chief communications officer, having joined the team in February after the exit of their previous public relations head, Ashley Hansen, who left to pursue her consulting firm.

The couple’s remaining in-house representative is Emily Robinson, who ironically worked on the Netflix series “The Crown.”

Maines has also engaged a team from Method Communications to provide additional support as the couple navigates their evolving public relations landscape.

“As the Duke and Duchess’s business and philanthropic endeavors expand, I’ve made the strategic decision to transition to a more traditional communications structure with specialized agency support,” Maines stated in a recent announcement.

“Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five different time zones, will enhance access for international media and stakeholders, and crucially, improve response times to inquiries,” she added.

“From a financial perspective, utilizing a public relations agency is more cost-effective than maintaining full-time staff,” explained an industry expert.

Reports indicate that there have been numerous claims regarding the difficulty of working with Harry and Meghan. Insiders have suggested that the couple is often difficult to please, with some staff members expressing frustration.

According to sources close to the situation, the couple was particularly upset by an unflattering cover story in Vanity Fair from January, which portrayed Markle as cold and unapproachable towards her staff when issues arose.

“It was incredibly painful for me,” said an unnamed former staff member who worked on media projects with Markle, adding that another colleague felt she would “throw staff members to the wolves” when things went wrong.

“It was unjust; what could the staff really do in that situation?” remarked a source familiar with the Vanity Fair article, noting that the anonymous sources made it challenging to contest the claims.

The Sussexes were also displeased with a Hollywood Reporter exposé last September, which suggested that “everyone is afraid of Meghan” when it comes to her management style.

A source commented, “She belittles people and doesn’t welcome feedback. They both are poor decision-makers who frequently change their minds. Harry is genuinely a charming individual without pretensions, but he often enables her behavior, which can be quite difficult.”

Several sources have indicated that Harry was furious about the Hollywood Reporter story and felt compelled to defend his wife, prompting him to push his staff to produce a cover story for US Weekly featuring former employees who claimed to have enjoyed working for the couple.

Additionally, Harry and Markle’s former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, famously lodged a formal complaint in 2018, alleging that Markle had bullied her staff at Buckingham Palace.

In emails leaked to The Times of London, Knauf alleged that the former “Suit” star drove two personal assistants out of their roles and undermined the confidence of a third staff member.

A representative for the Sussexes responded, stating, “Let’s call this what it is—a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation.” Meanwhile, Markle’s lawyer, Jenny Afia, later told the BBC, “Bullying means misusing power in a way that intentionally harms someone physically or emotionally. The Duchess of Sussex completely denies these allegations. That said, she wouldn’t dismiss anyone’s personal experiences.”

The findings of the palace’s investigation have never been made public, but Knauf, who now serves as the CEO of the Earthshot Prize—an initiative launched by Harry’s brother, Prince William—recently stated in an interview that he “wouldn’t change a thing” about raising his concerns.

Markle recently debuted her rosé wine, launching it on what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, a move that drew significant attention from fans and royal experts alike.

A source close to the royal family remarked that “it is not lost on Prince William that Meghan chose to launch an alcohol brand on his mother’s birthday, the very woman he lost in a tragic drinking-related incident.” This highlights the sensitivity surrounding the couple’s public image.

Meanwhile, Harry is focused on his philanthropic endeavors while attempting to mend relationships with his estranged family, particularly his father, King Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

In May, Harry once again spoke publicly about the rift within his family, especially after losing his battle for government-funded security for his family while in the UK.

“I would love to reconcile with my family,” Harry stated in a BBC interview. “There’s no point in continuing to fight. Life is precious, and I’m not sure how much longer my father has.”

The Telegraph reported that there are efforts within the palace to facilitate a meeting between Harry and Charles, claiming that Harry, Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie, age 6, and Princess Lilibet, age 4, are being included in the planning for Charles’ funeral services.

Regardless of the outcome of their Netflix deal, a television producer commented, “I can envision Meghan’s show returning for a third season. People seem to have a fascination with disliking her.”