She is in the almost unique position of having worked in close proximity with both Queen Elizabeth, whom she remembers and reveres as someone “without ego” and for being “very comfortable in her own skin,” and with Meghan Markle.
But now, having concluded her service for the Royal Family, Samantha Cohen has decided to explain how and why she was nicknamed ‘Samantha the Panther’.
“The name came about when I was in a junior position at Buckingham Palace overseeing an event with high-profile celebrities,” recalls Cohen, who is now chief of staff at mining company Rio Tinto.
‘An agent called asking if there was anyone on the guest list.
I said, ‘Sorry, they’re not.’ They kept calling me and I said, ‘Sorry, we can’t invite everyone.’ The next day I was in the press.
After concluding her service for the Royal Family, Samantha Cohen has decided to explain how and why she was nicknamed ‘Samantha the Panther’
Cohed served Queen Elizabeth for 17 years and took on the role of Meghan and Harry’s private secretary at the queen’s request.
Cohen only lasted 18 months as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s private secretary, but he resigned 18 months later after being “treated harshly,” according to royal author Valentine Low.
Cohen, an Australian, is, of course, too discreet to reveal the identity of the “high-profile celebrity” whose agent was making such desperate efforts on his client’s behalf.
But, at the time, there were detailed (and gleeful) reports recording who had made it to the list of Britain’s 200 most powerful and successful women.
His reward was an invitation to lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Tamara Mellon, creator of Jimmy Choo shoes, Heather Mills (at the time married to Sir Paul McCartney) and Jemima Goldsmith made the cut.
But Victoria Beckham didn’t.
When asked to explain the former Spice Girl’s omission, Cohen responded with splendid candor.
“Being rich is not enough,” he explained. “These are people who stand out in their field or have been icons who have made a contribution in some way.”
Although she refrained from making public comments, fashion designer Victoria was said to be “deeply disappointed” not to have been recognized for her work for the NSPCC, Comic Relief and the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Cohen, who served Queen Elizabeth for 17 years, later became Meghan and Harry’s private secretary, a role she took on at the queen’s request.
She resigned 18 months later, after being “treated harshly,” according to royal author Valentine Low.