Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are dealing with renewed scrutiny after their chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, stepped down, marking the most recent PR exit since their transfer to the US.
Her departure follows that of one other senior aide and the tip of their partnership with a PR agency.
Regardless of leaving royal duties years in the past, Harry and Meghan’s public appearances nonetheless draw criticism and are carefully watched by the Palace, with latest occasions reportedly elevating issues.
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Recent PR Departure Provides To Ongoing Shake-Up Round Prince Harry And Meghan Markle
Harry and Meghan are as soon as once more beneath scrutiny over doable instability inside their communications staff, following the departure of one other senior PR determine, the most recent in an extended line of exits because the couple relocated to the US.
Meredith Maines, who served because the Sussexes’ chief communications officer, has confirmed she will likely be stepping away from her function after roughly a 12 months.
Her exit comes amid wider modifications, together with the latest choice by US PR agency Technique Communications to finish its partnership with the couple after simply seven months.
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Maines’ departure follows carefully on the heels of Emily Robinson, who left her place as director of communications only some months into the job. Sources had beforehand recommended that Maines’ function grew to become more difficult after Robinson’s exit, rising strain inside the communications staff.
Over the summer time, Maines additionally discovered herself on the heart of media consideration after being photographed assembly Tobyn Andreae, communications secretary to King Charles, at a non-public members’ membership in Mayfair. The assembly was broadly interpreted as a discreet try and ease tensions between the Sussexes and the Royal Household.
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Sussexes Verify PR Shake-Up As Chief Communications Officer Steps Down
In an announcement asserting her departure, Maines expressed appreciation for her time working with the Duke and Duchess.
“After a 12 months of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will likely be pursuing a brand new alternative in 2026,” she mentioned, per the Every day Mail.
Maines added that she has “the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the staff, and the nice they’re doing on this planet.”
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan confirmed that each Maines and Technique Communications have concluded their work with Archewell, thanking them for his or her contributions and wishing them effectively.
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Prince Harry And Meghan’s Director Of Communications Will Take Cost Of Publicity
Going ahead, Liam Maguire, the couple’s director of communications for the UK and Europe, is anticipated to take the lead on publicity issues.
In line with her skilled profile, Maines joined the Sussex group in March 2025, overseeing all exterior communications.
Her duties spanned Meghan’s life-style model “As Ever,” launched earlier this 12 months, in addition to Archewell Productions and Archewell Philanthropies.
She had beforehand mentioned that bringing Technique Communications on board would assist enhance media entry and responsiveness.
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PR Turmoil Mounts For The Sussexes Amid Employees Exits And Public Backlash
Robinson’s earlier exit had already raised eyebrows, notably given her background engaged on Netflix’s “The Crown,” a sequence usually criticized for its portrayal of the Royal Household.
Her appointment was notable, however her swift departure was a much bigger deal. A pal of Robinson’s recommended the choice was not made calmly, saying she’s “not a quitter, so issues should have been fairly horrible for her to go.”
With these newest departures, Harry and Meghan have now parted methods with 11 public relations professionals in 5 years, though two former publicists have been reassigned to non-PR roles.
The previous 12 months has been notably turbulent from a reputational standpoint. Meghan’s surprising look at Paris Vogue Week in October drew criticism, as did social media footage filmed alongside a route related to Princess Diana’s deadly automotive crash.
Her presence at a high-profile girls’s management occasion in Washington additionally sparked debate.
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Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Hollywood Strikes Reportedly Nonetheless Underneath Palace Scrutiny
In the meantime, regardless of stepping again from royal duties practically six years in the past, Harry and Meghan’s public actions are mentioned to proceed reverberating inside the Royal Household.
Now based mostly in Montecito with their kids, the couple might dwell removed from the UK, however their high-profile appearances are reportedly nonetheless monitored by Palace officers resulting from their potential affect on perceptions of the monarchy.
A supply talking to OK! Journal claimed that even seemingly personal outings in Hollywood don’t go unnoticed, noting that “each public transfer impacts how belief and notion are formed inside the household.”
In line with the identical supply, eyebrows have been raised after Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner’s birthday celebration simply weeks in the past.
Palace insiders are mentioned to imagine “Harry and Meghan know attending high-profile occasions may have penalties for his or her standing within the monarchy, and should have weighed up the professionals and cons of attending Kris’ get together earlier than going.”
After the party, the Kardashians plastered pictures of the royal couple on social media. Nevertheless, these pictures vanished after a short time, main many to imagine Harry and Meghan requested for them to be taken down.
