Meghan and Harry’s PR Team Shake-Up: Another Key Departure

In the ever-evolving public relations landscape surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, another significant change has occurred with the departure of their chief publicist, Meredith Maines. After just one year serving as Chief Communications Officer, Maines has announced she will be stepping down from her role with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s team. “After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will be pursuing a new opportunity in 2025,” Maines stated. The parting appears amicable, with a spokesperson for the Sussexes expressing gratitude for her contributions. This transition coincides with the couple ending their seven-month relationship with US-based PR firm Method Communications, which had been brought on to strengthen their communications strategy as the couple expanded their business portfolio and philanthropic efforts.

Behind the scenes, those familiar with Maines’ work speak highly of her capabilities and strategic approach. One source described her as “best in class” and “highly strategic,” noting that “they’ve accomplished a ton over the past year and it’s time for what’s next.” The professional relationship between the Sussexes and Method Communications began earlier this year as part of a deliberate expansion of their communications team. At that time, a spokesperson announced that Method would serve “as an extension of that team,” working alongside then-newly appointed Director of Communications Emily Robinson. Method Communications specializes in supporting high-growth tech and consumer brands, suggesting the Sussexes were positioning themselves for significant expansion in their post-royal endeavors through Archewell and their various media projects.

The departure of Maines represents what appears to be a pattern of staff turnover for the couple, reportedly marking the eleventh publicist to leave their employment in the five years since they stepped back from royal duties in 2020. This latest change follows closely on the heels of Emily Robinson’s exit in October after just a few months in her role as director of communications. When Robinson left, a spokesperson for the Duchess emphasized that she had “oversaw project-based work for a very successful season of With Love, Meghan and additional support for the production company,” adding that “she did an excellent job and completed these projects with great success.” Robinson, who had previously worked in publicity for Netflix, reportedly departed of her own accord according to multiple media outlets including The Times of London and People magazine.

The staff changes don’t end there. Earlier this year in June, reports emerged that four team members had parted ways with the Sussexes, contributing to ongoing speculation about potential workplace issues. Over the years, there have been controversial reports about Meghan’s management style, including a 2021 article in The Times of London alleging that the Duchess had bullied staff and reduced team members to tears during their time at Kensington Palace. More recently, in August 2024, NewsNation claimed that the couple had lost a total of 18 employees between their time in the UK and their post-royal operations in the US. These reports suggested a “churn and burn” rate, with sources characterizing Meghan’s approach as “unbearable” and “condescending” – allegations that paint a challenging picture of their organizational culture.

However, it’s important to note that several former and current staff members have come forward to contradict these negative characterizations. In September 2024, Ben Browning, who previously served as head of content and was instrumental in securing the couple’s Netflix documentary “Harry & Meghan” before his departure in 2023, shared a very different perspective. Speaking to Us Weekly, Browning described his experience working with the couple as “positive and supportive,” directly challenging the prevailing narrative of workplace discord. He further noted that “We all continue to be friends. The narratives we’ve seen suggesting the contrary are untrue.” These contrasting accounts highlight the complexity of understanding the true nature of the work environment within the Sussexes’ operation.

As Meghan and Harry continue to build their post-royal lives and careers, these staffing changes raise interesting questions about their organizational direction and leadership approach. Since stepping away from royal duties in 2020, the couple has worked to establish their independent identity through Archewell Foundation and various media partnerships, including deals with Netflix and Spotify. While staff turnover is not uncommon in high-profile environments, especially those undergoing significant transitions and growth, the frequency of changes in their communications team specifically suggests potential challenges in settling on a consistent public relations strategy. As they move forward without Maines and Method Communications, observers will be watching closely to see how the Duke and Duchess adapt their communications approach and whether they can establish more stability within their team while continuing to expand their global influence and philanthropic impact.