Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond questioned the response
Howard Lloyd Regional content editor
14:28, 03 Jan 2026
Harry and Meghan have not responded to the news (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
A Royal commentator has raised questions about the “mystery” surrounding the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief communications officer, Meredith Maines, from the Sussexes’ team. Ms Maines left her position after merely 10 months of working alongside Harry and Meghan.
Addressing her exit, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stated: “Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well.”
James Holt, who served as executive director at Harry and Meghan’s charitable organisation, the Archewell Foundation, for almost five years, has also announced his resignation. Mr Holt previously held the position of head of communications for the duke and duchess between September 2019 and March 2021.
Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond commented: “There’s more of a mystery surrounding Meredith Maines’ resignation. She was brought in as something of a hotshot and has only been with the Sussexes for a year. I thought the couple’s response to her resignation was decidedly cool and confirmed suspicions that their professional relationship had become rather troubled.”
In her own statement, Ms Maines remarked: “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. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and the team, and the good work they are doing in the world.”, reports the Express.
Harry and Meghan are reportedly not seeking a replacement for Ms Maines, with the understanding that Liam Maguire, the UK and Europe director of communications, will assume the role.
Meredith Maines, who began her tenure with the Sussexes in March 2025, is thought to be the 11th publicist in five years to leave the position following the couple’s decision to step back from their Royal duties and move to California in 2020.
Jennie raised questions about the necessity of such key aides. As quoted in the Mirror, she queried: “Perhaps it’s not so surprising that staff come and go at such a rate. I’m not really sure why they need so many staff in the first place.
“Why can’t they run their lives and their projects with just one or two helpers?”.
With the future of recruitment uncertain for Harry and Meghan due to recent staff departures, the expert also speculated on what the next year might hold: “I really don’t know what lies ahead for Harry and Meghan in 2026, but I hope that they will be happy and enjoy the life that they’ve chosen with their two lovely children in the Californian sunshine.”