Prince Harry and Meghan have lost an important member of their team, who was instrumental in breaking the frosty relationship between the Duke of Sussex and King Charles this year.
Sussex director of communications Meredith Maines has announced her departure in a surprising turn of events, just 10 months into the role. She will stay there until February 2026 to complete her full year and support the transition.
“After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will pursue a new opportunity in 2026,” Meredith wrote in a statement. “I have the greatest gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and for the good they are doing in the world.”
The news comes amid ongoing restructuring at Sussex’s Archewell Foundation (now renamed Archewell Philanthropies). He is the 11th publicist to leave his role for the Sussexes in the past five years.
Meredith had been Harry and Meghan’s most distinguished assistant 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 King’s communications director, Tobyn Andreae, on a balcony at a private club in Mayfair with the Sussexes’ communications director in the UK and Europe, Liam Maguire, who continues to work in the same role. And in September, Harry was seen meeting the king for a private tea at Clarence House.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes shared: “Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well.”
