The chief communications officer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Meredith Maines, has resigned from her position after holding the role for less than a year. The departure marks another shift in the couple's public relations strategy.
Key Departures and Official Statements
In a statement, Maines confirmed she would be "pursuing a new opportunity" in 2026, following what she described as a year of "inspiring work" with Prince Harry and Meghan. A spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed that both Maines and their US-based PR agency, Method Communications, have concluded their work with the couple's organisation, Archewell.
The spokesperson added: "The duke and duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well." Method Communications was hired in June 2025 to support the couple's business and philanthropic projects, with the aim of providing international media with better access and faster response times.
Scope of the Role and Recent Projects
According to her LinkedIn profile, Meredith Maines began her role as chief communications officer in March 2025. She was responsible for overseeing all external communications for the couple's ventures. This included Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, which launched in April 2025, their media production company, Archewell Productions, and their charitable foundation, Archewell Philanthropies.
Her departure coincides with a period of continued public interest in the Sussexes' activities and their relationship with the wider Royal Family. Prince Harry and Meghan announced their step back as working royals in January 2020 and have since been involved in several high-profile media projects while also reporting tensions with other family members.
Ongoing Narrative for the Sussexes
This change in their communications team represents the latest evolution in Harry and Meghan's efforts to control their narrative and manage their global profile independently. The couple's work continues through Archewell, though the search for new communications leadership will now be a priority as they move into 2026.
The situation underscores the challenges of building a professional operation outside traditional royal structures, with personnel changes attracting significant media scrutiny. The coming months will reveal how the Duke and Duchess choose to reshape their public-facing team.
