Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again making headlines for a significant reshuffle in their professional inner circle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen their Chief Communications Officer, Meredith Maines, step away from her role after approximately ten months. This development marks what is reportedly the eleventh departure of a publicist since the couple stepped back from their duties as senior working royals in 2020.
A Departure Without Drama
The news was first broken by The Sun and later confirmed by Page Six. According to a source familiar with the situation, Maines' exit was amicable and not born out of any conflict. "She's unflappable, and does not complain… she really enjoyed her time there, but at a certain point it's time to go," the insider revealed. The source highlighted that Maines' background in venture capital and tech industries shaped her unique approach to the high-profile role.
"Coming from the VC and tech industries, she's used to so many things going on at all times," the source explained, addressing initial skepticism about her non-traditional PR pedigree. "Others may have thought it was not a traditional background, but I think it worked well. The amount she was able to do in almost a year was amazing, she launched Meghan's podcast and TV show… and looked after the Prince's charity work." The insider concluded that Maines had successfully "did what she needed to do" and has exciting prospects lined up for the new year.
Confirmations and Well-Wishes
Meredith Maines herself confirmed her departure in an official statement to Page Six. "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 2026," she stated. Maines expressed her "utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good they are doing in the world."
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan also acknowledged the change, confirming that "Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell." The spokesperson added, "The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well." This statement aligns with reports from The Sun indicating that the Sussexes have cut ties with the PR consultancy Method Communications, which was associated with Maines. That partnership is said to have lasted only seven months.
Restructuring and Future Plans
In the wake of this exit, the Sussex communications team is undergoing another restructuring. Reports suggest that Maines will not be directly replaced in the role of Chief Communications Officer. Instead, Liam Maguire, the UK and Europe director of communications for Archewell, is expected to step up as the lead.
Furthermore, The Sun reported that a new agency is believed to have been selected to manage the couple's U.S. communications strategy moving forward. This latest change continues a pattern of frequent adjustments within the Sussexes' professional team, a trend that has drawn considerable media attention over the past five years as they build their independent brand and philanthropic ventures through the Archewell Foundation.
