A real royal love affair! Kate’s one-time Girl Friday steps out with Will’s ex-right hand man

When Prince William’s right-hand man resigned after four years of loyal service, he left with an emotional statement.

‘I have had the most incredible opportunity to serve in a role that not only challenges me, but also allows me to grow, learn and make meaningful contributions alongside a talented and passionate team,’ said Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon in 2024.

Atli regretfully declared that it was ‘time to step down’ from his role.

Happily, he found solace in an equally passionate team member: Natasha Archer, then the Princess of Wales’s right-hand woman.

Ms Archer, who was revealed to have split from royal photographer husband Chris Jackson last year, was having an affair with Lieutenant Dixon, 43, the Daily Mail can reveal.

He and Ms. Archer, 37, began attending social events as a couple. Last week, they rubbed shoulders with Hollywood stars, including Margot Robbie, at the opening of US furniture giant RH’s store in Mayfair.

Mrs. Archer’s husband was said to be distraught at the end of their marriage. ‘He was devastated and couldn’t see his future,’ one of his friends told this newspaper. The couple married in 2017 and have two young sons.

Mr Jackson is extremely popular in royal circles. Queen Camilla is particularly fond of the photographer she and King Charles chose to take their portraits for their 20th wedding anniversary in Italy last year.

Natasha Archer and ex-husband Chris Jackson during the Cartier Queen’s Cup Polo final at Guards Polo Club in Egham on June 18, 2017

In 2014, Kate was photographed talking to Natasha at a rugby match in Sydney, Australia, with William next to her.

Prince William and Commander Rob Dixon attend the Sovereignty Parade on behalf of King Charles at the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in Sleaford on 12 September 2024

A year ago, when it was announced that Miss Archer would be leaving Kensington Palace after 15 years, royal watchers said Kate would miss her “invaluable” assistant.

Two months later, I announced in this newspaper’s daily column, Eden Confidential, that she and Mr Jackson had separated. ‘They haven’t been together for a while,’ a friend said.

Ms Archer left the palace to set up a fashion consultancy firm. He was known for overhauling the princess’s image and had accompanied Kate at social events and accompanied her on trips abroad.

Hired as Kate’s assistant, or “Girl Friday”, in 2010, she was awarded the Royal Victorian Order in 2019 for her services to the Royal Family. Three years later, Ms. Archer was promoted to senior special executive assistant.

Lieutenant Commander Dixon was appointed to the Royal Household in 2020. Leaving the palace, he said: ‘I am extremely grateful for the friendships that have been formed over these last four years.’ In an online post, he said moving on was ‘the right thing to do’.

He returned to his duties in the Royal Navy. Equerries are officers from the Armed Forces selected to assist senior royals in their duties. Earlier this year,

Lieutenant Commander Dixon left the Navy to become a consultant for the Department of Defense. He and Ms. Archer declined to comment.