Meghan Markle and Prince Harry axe four key staff members after 'disaster move'

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, according to reports, have dismissed four major employees following a sequence of public relations missteps.
It's claimed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have separated from LA-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and UK press officer Charlie Gipson, both of whom joined their team in April 2024.
Recent weeks have also seen two other members of Harry and Meghan's personal staff reportedly depart. These shifts follow Harry and Meghan's appointment of a new communications team earlier this year, overseen by chief communication officer Meredith Maines, who has confirmed her squad comprises eight people spread across five different time zones.
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Adding to their revamped communications armoury, Harry and Meghan have brought on Emily Robinson, the ex-publicity manager for The Crown during its controversial seasons three through six, as their director of communications.
The sixth season of the acclaimed Netflix series included contentious representations, like Prince Harry in Nazi garb, Princess Diana's impactful Panorama interview, and even portrayed Diana in ghostly conversations with Queen Elizabeth II. An insider speaking to Hello!
Magazine hinted at further potential upheavals, saying: "Something tells me there will be another change in the future. Meghan and Harry have hired some of the most incredible people at the top of their fields, yet somehow none of them ever work out.", reports the Mirror.
The couple, who renounced senior Royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, seem to be navigating choppy staffing waters.
Following alterations within the Sussexes' team, their Chief Communications Officer Meredith shared a statement with The Mirror: "As the Duke and Duchess's business and philanthropic interests grow, I have made the strategic decision to move toward a more traditional communications structure of specialist agency support, as previously reported in Forbes and PR Week several weeks ago. Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five different time zones, will give international media and stakeholders better access, and critically, faster response times to inquiries."
The Sussexes have recently caused a stir with some of their media appearances, including a controversial BBC interview given by Harry after his appeal against the downgrade of his UK security was rejected. In the interview, Harry alleged that his father, King Charles, is no longer speaking to him due to disagreements over his security arrangements while in the UK.
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
(Image: Getty)
He also brought up the King's cancer treatment and expressed uncertainty about "how much longer my father has left," which drew criticism for fuelling speculation about the monarch's health.
Meghan Markle delighted fans by sharing a playful video where she's seen twerking with Prince Harry as part of her efforts to induce labour while she was pregnant with Lilibet. In the light-hearted Instagram clip, sprightly Meghan narrates over the minute-long footage saying: "Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates... so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn't work – there was only one thing left to do!".
Moreover, the Duchess has enjoyed success with her Netflix series, 'With Love, Meghan,' which, despite receiving a mix of critiques, proved popular enough to bag a second season on the streaming site. Adding to her ventures, Meghan has introduced her own brand, As Ever, offering a selection of homemade products such as raspberry jam, wildflower honey, herbal teas, flower sprinkles, crepe mix, and shortbread cookie mix.
It was earlier mentioned that Meghan was poised to attend a charity gala in Los Angeles; however, the event is no longer going forward due to the unrest in the city. She was to be the guest of honour at the Museum of Natural History in LA, where she planned to speak about her extensive charitable activities.
Amidst the ongoing protests in LA, with demonstrators clashing with ICE officers, the prestigious Night of Wonder event has been put on hold. Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, commented: "As an institution 'of, for, and with Los Angeles,' our responsibility during challenging times is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration.
"Los Angeles needs us to channel our energy toward supporting our neighbours and demonstrating the values that make our city and county strong," she added. The museum's Board of Trustees, leadership, and event partners collectively decided to indefinitely postpone the event, agreeing that it was "the appropriate response to current community circumstances."
Paul Bessire, the museum's Chief Advancement Officer, remarked: "We will find a future moment to celebrate our work. Until then, we will channel our energy towards being welcoming spaces for learning and discovery for everyone who walks through our doors."
The museum plans to reschedule the Night of Wonder for a future date and will maintain its regular operations and educational activities in the meantime.