Prince Harry and Meghan have lost a key member of their team who played a crucial role in breaking the icy relationship between the Duke of Sussex and King Charles this year.
Chief Communications Officer for the Sussexes, Meredith Maines, announced her exit in a surprise twist, just after 10 months in the post. She will stay until February 2026 to complete her full year and keep up with the transition.
“After an inspiring year working with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will pursue a new opportunity in 2026,” Meredith wrote in a statement. “I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team and the good they are doing in the world.”
The news comes amid restructuring taking place at Sussex’s Archewell Foundation (now renamed Archewell Philanthropies). This is the 11th publicist to leave the role for the Sussexes in the past five years.
Meredith had been the most prominent aide to Harry and Meghan because during her tenure Prince Harry met his cancer-stricken father for the first time in nearly two years of estrangement.
She photographed in July with the King’s communications director Tobyn Andreae on a balcony at a Mayfair private members’ club with the Sussexes’ UK and European communications director Liam Maguire, who continues to work in the same role. And in September, Harry was spotted meeting the King for a private tea at Clarence House.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes shared: “Meredith Maines and Method Communications have completed their work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contribution and wish them well.”
