Meredith Maines, the chief publicist for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is stepping away from her role after spending just a year with the couple. She becomes the 11th publicist to part ways with Harry and Meghan over the past five years.
According to Us Weekly, Meredith Maines took on the position of Chief Communications Officer earlier this year. She worked alongside Method Communications, a U.S. PR firm that handled Harry and Meghan’s public relations.
However, that partnership comes after the Sussexes choose to move on from the company.
In an exclusive statement to the publication, Maines explained that her departure stems from a new career opportunity she’ll be starting in 2026. She was quick to address the ongoing speculation about what it is like to work with the couple, making it clear that her experience had been a positive one.
“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. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good work they are doing in the world,” Maines said.
The royal couple also weighed in, releasing their own statement through a representative who confirmed that both Maines and Method Communications have wrapped up their work with Archewell.
Harry and Meghan made it clear they appreciated the time spent working together.
“Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well,” their statement read.
This latest departure comes on the heels of another recent exit. Emily Robinson, who served as the Sussexes’ director of communications, left her position in October after being with the team for only a few months. Robinson had joined in June, fresh off her work on Meghan’s Netflix show, With Love. Reports suggest that Robinson’s decision to leave was entirely her own choice.
The pattern of staff turnover has fuelled ongoing conversations about what working for the couple is really like. Meghan, in particular, has faced scrutiny over the years with allegations surfacing that she is very challenging to work with. Back in 2021, The Times of London published a report claiming that the former actor had mistreated staff during her time at Kensington Palace. The allegations included accounts of employees being belittled and reduced to tears.
A 2024 report from NewsNation took things further, stating that the couple had experienced the departure of 18 staff members between the U.K. and U.S. since they established the Archewell Foundation in 2020. One source quoted in that report didn’t hold back, describing the work environment as hostile and calling Meghan “unbearable” and “condescending.”
Despite the public chatter and the revolving door of communications staff, Maines made a point of emphasizing the meaningful nature of the work being done through Archewell. Her comments suggested that whatever challenges may exist behind the scenes, she found value in contributing to the couple’s efforts and initiatives.
The Sussexes continue to manage their public image through Archewell, their nonprofit organization that focuses on various humanitarian and social causes. The foundation has been central to their post-royal work, even as questions about internal dynamics persist.
For those curious about Meghan’s recent projects, With Love, Meghan remains available for streaming on Netflix, which offers a glimpse into her creative ventures beyond the royal spotlight.
