Prince Harry And Meghan's Loss Of 11th Publicist Fuels Questions About Couple's Communications Team

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing renewed scrutiny after their chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, stepped down, marking the latest PR exit since their move to the US.

Her departure follows that of another senior aide and the end of their partnership with a PR firm.

Despite leaving royal duties years ago, Harry and Meghan's public appearances still draw criticism and are closely watched by the Palace, with recent events reportedly raising concerns.

Harry and Meghan are once again under scrutiny over possible instability within their communications team, following the departure of another senior PR figure, the latest in a long line of exits since the couple relocated to the United States.

Meredith Maines, who served as the Sussexes' chief communications officer, has confirmed she will be stepping away from her role after roughly a year.

Her exit comes amid wider changes, including the recent decision by US PR firm Method Communications to end its partnership with the couple after just seven months.

Maines' departure follows closely on the heels of Emily Robinson, who left her position as director of communications only a few months into the job. Sources had previously suggested that Maines' role became more challenging after Robinson's exit, increasing pressure within the communications team.

Over the summer, Maines also found herself at the center of media attention after being photographed meeting Tobyn Andreae, communications secretary to King Charles, at a private members' club in Mayfair. The meeting was widely interpreted as a discreet attempt to ease tensions between the Sussexes and the Royal Family.

In a statement announcing her departure, Maines expressed appreciation for her time working with the Duke and Duchess.

"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," she said, per the Daily Mail.

Maines added that she has "the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good they are doing in the world."

A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan confirmed that both Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell, thanking them for their contributions and wishing them well.

Going forward, Liam Maguire, the couple's director of communications for the UK and Europe, is expected to take the lead on publicity matters.

According to her professional profile, Maines joined the Sussex organization in March 2025, overseeing all external communications.

Her responsibilities spanned Meghan's lifestyle brand "As Ever," launched earlier this year, as well as Archewell Productions and Archewell Philanthropies.

She had previously said that bringing Method Communications on board would help improve media access and responsiveness.

Robinson's earlier exit had already raised eyebrows, particularly given her background working on Netflix's "The Crown," a series often criticized for its portrayal of the Royal Family.

Her appointment was notable, but her swift departure was a bigger deal. A friend of Robinson's suggested the decision was not made lightly, saying she's "not a quitter, so things must have been pretty horrible for her to go."

With these latest departures, Harry and Meghan have now parted ways with 11 public relations professionals in five years, although two former publicists were reassigned to non-PR roles.

The past year has been particularly turbulent from a reputational standpoint. Meghan's unexpected appearance at Paris Fashion Week in October drew criticism, as did social media footage filmed along a route associated with Princess Diana's fatal car crash.

Her presence at a high-profile women's leadership event in Washington also sparked debate.

Meanwhile, despite stepping back from royal duties nearly six years ago, Harry and Meghan's public actions are said to continue reverberating within the Royal Family.

Now based in Montecito with their children, the couple may live far from the UK, but their high-profile appearances are reportedly still monitored by Palace officials due to their potential impact on perceptions of the monarchy.

A source speaking to OK! Magazine claimed that even seemingly private outings in Hollywood do not go unnoticed, noting that "every public move affects how trust and perception are shaped within the family."

According to the same source, eyebrows were raised after Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner's birthday celebration just weeks ago.

Palace insiders are said to believe "Harry and Meghan know attending high-profile events could have consequences for their standing in the monarchy, and must have weighed up the pros and cons of attending Kris' party before going."

After the birthday party, the Kardashians plastered photos of the royal couple on social media. However, these images vanished after a short while, leading many to believe Harry and Meghan asked for them to be taken down.