Prince Harry and Meghan have lost an important member of their team, who played a key role in breaking down frosty relations between the Duke of Sussex and King Charles this year.
The Sussexes’ director of communications, Meredith Maines, announced her departure in a surprising turn of events, just 10 months after being hired for the position. She will stay until February 2026 to complete her full year and continue the transition.
“After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archewell, I will be seeking a new opportunity in 2026,” Meredith wrote in a statement. “I have the utmost 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). This is the eleventh publicist to leave the Sussexes’ position in the last five years.
Meredith had been Harry and Meghan’s most distinguished aide because during her tenure, Prince Harry met his cancer-stricken father for the first time in nearly two years of estrangement.
She was pictured in July with King’s communications director Tobyn Andreae on a balcony at a private Mayfair 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 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.”
