Earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hired Meredith Maines as their new chief communication officer, and over the past few months their team has undergone some changes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hired a new team

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly axed four key staff members following a string of PR blunders. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have parted ways with their LA-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson. Both of them were hired in April 2024.

Two other members of the couple’s private team have reportedly also left in recent weeks. The changes come after Harry and Meghan appointed a new team, headed by chief communication officer (CCO) Meredith Maines, earlier this year. Meredith confirmed her team is now made up of eight people working across five different time zones.

Harry and Meghan also recently hired Emily Robinson, who previously oversaw global publicity for The Crown from seasons three to six, as their new director of communications.

The Sussexes’ chief communication officer said the team now includes eight people working across five time zones(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Season six of the hit Netflix drama programme aired controversial storylines which included Prince Harry wearing Nazi fancy dress, Princess Diana’s Panorama interview, and scenes depicting Diana as a ghost speaking to Queen Elizabeth II. A source has now claimed more changes could be in the works for the couple, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and now live in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The source told Hello! Magazine: “Something tells me there will be another change in the future. Meghan and Harry have hired some of the most incredible people at the top of their fields, yet somehow none of them ever work out.”

Following reports of changes within the Sussexes’ team, their CCO Meredith said in a statement shared with The Mirror: “As the Duke and Duchess’s business and philanthropic interests grow, I have made the strategic decision to move toward a more traditional communications structure of specialist agency support, as previously reported in Forbes and PR Week several weeks ago. Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five different time zones, will give international media and stakeholders better access, and critically, faster response times to inquiries.”

The Sussexes have recently raised eyebrows over some recent media moments, including an explosive BBC interview Harry gave following the rejection of his appeal against the downgrade of his UK security. In the interview, Harry claimed his father, King Charles, is no longer speaking to him due to the row around his security arrangements while in the UK. He also mentioned the King’s cancer treatment and expressed uncertainty about “how much longer my father has left,” sparking some criticism for fuelling speculation about the monarch’s health.

Meghan was due to attend a charity event on Saturday but it has been cancelled(Image: Getty)

Meghan also recently shared a video of herself twerking alongside Harry in hospital, as she tried to bring on labour while pregnant with Lilibet. The candid Instagram video, which runs for more than a minute, was shared as the pair market Lilibet’s fourth birthday with Meghan explaining: “Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work – there was only one thing left to do!”

And this year the Duchess also launched her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, which received mixed reviews but was a success for the streaming platform, which has already renewed it for a second season. Alongside the series, Meghan also launched her lifestyle brand, As Ever, selling homemade products including raspberry jam, wildflower honey, herbal teas, flower sprinkles, crepe mix, and shortbread cookie mix.

Earlier this week we reported that Meghan was due to attend a charity event in Los Angeles tomorrow, but the bash has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the city. The Duchess was scheduled to be the guest of honour at the Museum of Natural History in LA, where she was expected to give a speech about her extensive charity work.

However, as the streets of LA continue to be occupied by protestors facing off against ICE officers, organisers postponed the black-tie Night of Wonder event. Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museum in LA, said in a statement: “As an institution ‘of, for, and with Los Angeles,’ our responsibility during challenging times is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration.”

“Los Angeles needs us to channel our energy toward supporting our neighbours and demonstrating the values that make our city and county strong,” her statement continued. The statement went on to clarify that the decision to indefinitely postpone the event was made by the museum’s Board of Trustees, leadership and event partners, who “unanimously agreed” that pausing the event was “the appropriate response to current community circumstances.”

Chief Advancement Officer Paul Bessire added: “We will find a future moment to celebrate our work. Until then, we will channel our energy towards being welcoming spaces for learning and discovery for everyone who walks through our doors.” The museum is expected to reschedule the event for a later date, and will continue with their daily operations and educational programs until the event is back in the calendar.