Tension is mounting behind the scenes at Archewell

James Holt, the executive director of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s charitable foundation Archewell is moving back to the UK with his family and he’s feeling the timing isn’t ideal.

A source told the Mail that Holt is “frustrated that his move comes during a period of significant transition for the Duke and Duchess,” adding that he plans to stay on a few more months to keep things running smoothly at Archewell. 

“He’s very protective of the couple and anxious this is going to cause them grief,” the insider said.

Holt’s departure is the latest shake-up in a long line of exits from the Sussexes’ team since the couple stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California in 2020. 

The communications department, in particular, has seen a revolving door of talent. Just last week, Meredith Maines, the foundation’s chief communications officer, became the 11th publicist to leave over the past five years.

Other notable exits in recent months include Charlie Gipson, who oversaw European communications and left in July, and US-based press secretary Kyle Boulia, who departed in June alongside four other staff members. 

Emily Robinson, a former Netflix communications director, exited in October, while earlier departures include Toya Holness, who left her head of communications role in May 2022, and Ashley Hansen, global press secretary from May 2022 until October 2024.

Holt, who first started working with Prince Harry eight years ago at the Royal Foundation in 2017, has long been a stabilizing presence for the Sussexes. 

Prince William doesn’t have a traditional job or salary, but he still managed to rake in millions this year.

According to People magazine, the Prince of Wales received roughly $30 million in income in 2025 — but how did he do it? Unlike a conventional salary, William’s income is tied directly to the Duchy of Cornwall, an estate established in 1337 by King Edward III to fund the heir to the throne. William, 44, inherited the Duchy when his father, King Charles III, ascended the throne in 2022.

The Duchy of Cornwall’s Integrated Annual Report for 2025 published back in June revealed a distributable surplus of £22.9 million, or about $30.9 million, for the 2024–2025 financial year. That figure represents Prince William’s second year as Duke of Cornwall and covers official duties, charitable work, and private expenses for William, Kate Middleton, and their three children.

When Queen Elizabeth died, a royal source said Prince William was “fully immersing himself” in his new role. Since then, he has made regular visits across the estate, including a May 2024 overnight trip to Newquay to view an innovative Duchy housing project aimed at tackling homelessness.

The report also highlighted the future king’s expanding responsibilities, from becoming patron of The Football Association to taking on new patronages with the Welsh Guards Charity and the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. 

• Coastal project targets flood risks, ecosystem restoration: ministry
• Punjab initiative promotes low-carbon, climate-smart farming.
• Millions to benefit from resilience, productivity measures: ministry.

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday signed two major climate resilience initiatives aimed at strengthening coastal protection and promoting low-carbon agriculture.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, the agreements include the $180.5 million Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project (SCRP) and the Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project, valued at $124 million.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Islamabad, Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim appreciated ADB’s continued support, describing it as a trusted development partner in Pakistan’s efforts to advance climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and inclusive growth.

He said the Sindh Coastal Resilience Project would promote integrated water resources and flood risk management, restore nature-based coastal defences, and strengthen institutional and community capacity for strategic planning.

The project will be financed through $140.5 million from ADB, including a $140 million loan and $0.5 million technical assistance grant, $40 million from the Green Climate Fund, and $20 million in counterpart funding from the Sindh government. It is expected to directly benefit more than 3.8 million people in Thatta, Sujawal and Badin districts.

Karim said the Punjab Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Agriculture Mechanisation Project would enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience across 30 districts of Punjab. The project, with a total outlay of $129 million, will be financed through a $120 million ADB loan, a $4 million ADB grant, and $5 million in counterpart funding from the Punjab government.

Under the project, small farmers will gain improved access to climate-smart machinery, circular agriculture practices will be introduced to reduce crop residue burning, testing and training facilities will be established, and 15,000 women will be empowered through skills development and livelihood diversification.

The secretary said both initiatives were transformative, noting that the Sindh project would safeguard livelihoods, food security and biodiversity along the province’s vulnerable coastal belt, while the Punjab project would drive sustainable, low-carbon agricultural growth and inclusive development.

ADB Country Director Emma Fan welcomed Pakistan’s commitment, highlighting the importance of the Sindh project in addressing climate-induced risks and protecting coastal communities, and describing the Punjab mechanisation initiative as a key step toward modernising agriculture and reducing emissions.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the effective use of financing and the timely completion of the two projects.