The Rollercoaster of Royals: Harry and Meghan's Staff Saga Continues
The royal pair, Harry and Meghan, are witnessing an exodus of staff members.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, popularly known as Harry and Meghan, have once again found themselves in the limelight, this time due to a staggering staff turnover. As reported by several media outlets, including "Deadline", they are currently seeking to fill four positions, pushing their total departed employees since leaving the royal household to nearly two dozen.
Recent developments include the arrival of Meredith Maines, their first Chief Communications Officer, with a robust background from Google, Hulu, and "American Idol". Meghan Markle also welcomed Sarah Fosmo, Bill Gates' former assistant, as her first Chief of Staff.
Previously, Emily Robinson, who headed communications, and Ashley Hansen, the global press spokesperson, vacated their posts. Hansen, in particular, departed to launch her own PR firm, with Harry and Meghan on her client list.
Recent Exits
Among the newest exits, as per "Deadline", are Kyle Boulia, the deputy press secretary, and Charlie Gipson, the UK press officer. Both joined the team in March 2024.
The regular staff attrition in their entourage raises concerns about the stability of their team. Since their departure from the British royal household in early 2020, it's reported that no less than 22 employees have parted ways. The last two months alone saw six departures.
During their time as working royals in the UK, internal tensions within their staff were not uncommon. Whether this ongoing restructuring is part of a longer-term plan or an indicator of simmering discord remains uncertain.
Behind the Exits: An Overview
- Organizational Shift: The latest departures coincide with a significant revamp of the couple’s communication strategy under Meredith Kendall Maines, the newly appointed Chief Communications Officer. This step marks a strategic move away from a compact in-house team towards a larger, dispersed agency model, operating across multiple time zones.
- Leadership Challenges: Media reports suggest that some staff have faced difficulties under Meghan’s leadership, leading to a revolving door of employees and rumors of underlying issues despite hiring top-tier talent.
- Expanding International Footprint: As Harry and Meghan’s influence and philanthropic endeavors grow, their staff's workload increases, potentially leading to stress among team members.
- External Pressures: Negative press coverage, public scrutiny, and the aftermath of high-profile interviews contribute to the challenges faced by their team.
The Impact and Way Forward
- Operational Chaos: Frequent staff changes can slow decision-making, disrupt workflows, and reduce institutional memory, hindering the sustenance of consistent strategies and relationships with media and partners.
- Tarnished Image: A pattern of high turnover could be interpreted as a reflection of internal dysfunction, damaging the couple’s public image and credibility, especially as media outlets highlight the “chaos” within their team.
- Loss of Key Talent: The departure of seasoned staff, such as communications and media relations professionals, weakens the team’s ability to navigate crises and maintain a positive media presence.
- Shift to External Agencies: The shift towards a more traditional, agency-based communications model aims to address the risks associated with in-house staff turnover by extending responsibilities among a larger, more stable network of professionals.
- Consistent Messaging: Ensuring consistent messaging becomes crucial amid frequent personnel changes. The adoption of agency support facilitates standardized communication outputs and responses.
- Rebuilding the Profile: The couple has taken steps to rebuild their public image and improve operational stability. Examples include hiring a new director of communications from Netflix and collaborating with Method Communications.
The high staff turnover faced by Harry and Meghan points to the challenges of managing an international, high-profile operation amid mounting scrutiny and evolving communication requirements. The success of their new, agency-driven approach remains to be seen, as it must demonstrate its ability to provide consistent, professional support and withstand ongoing external pressures.
I'm not going to be able to do this, says the team struggling with the unprecedented high turnover in the entertainment sphere of Harry and Meghan, often dubbed as celebrities, especially in pop-culture. The seeming instability within their staff, marked by the departure of over 20 employees since leaving the British royal household, raises concerns about the team's effectiveness in managing their expanding international footprint and navigating the negative press coverage and public scrutiny that comes with their position.
