Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have lost another publicist.
Meredith Maynes, chief communications officer, is stepping down after working for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for just under a year.
A source close to Maines exclusively told Page Six, “She’s not upset, she’s not complaining… She really enjoyed her time there, but at some point it was time to say goodbye.”
“Having come from a VC and tech background, she’s used to having a lot going on all the time,” the source continued.
“Some people may have thought it wasn’t a traditional background, but I think it worked out well. What she was able to accomplish in almost a year was amazing. She launched Meghan Markle’s podcast, TV show… she also looked after the prince’s charity work.”
Officials said Maynes “did what he had to do.”
“The word on the street is that she has a lot of things in store for the new year. And she’s very excited.”
“After an exciting year of working with Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Archewell, I am looking forward to pursuing new opportunities in 2026,” Maines said in a statement.
“I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the couple and their team and the good they are doing in the world.”
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan also confirmed the move in a statement to Page Six.
“Meredith Maines and Method Communications have ended their partnership with Archewell,” a spokesperson told us. “The Duke and Duchess thank them for their contribution and wish them all the best.”
Maines served in the role for approximately 10 months.
This is the 11th time in the past five years that a public relations officer has lost his job.
The Sun newspaper, which first broke the news, also reported that Prince Harry and Markle had ended their relationship with PR consultants from Method Communications after seven months.
The paper noted that the agency was “believed” to have been chosen in place of Method Communications to accommodate the couple’s needs in the United States.
The Sun reported that Maynes will not be replaced by a chief executive officer (CCO), but will be replaced by Liam Maguire, director of UK and European communications.
“Given their extensive experience in technology and venture capitalism, it raised some eyebrows when Method and Meredith stayed, especially considering the couple’s work,” a source told the magazine.
Page Six confirmed in June that four staffers had left the husband-and-wife team, including former Los Angeles-based deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia, former British press secretary Charlie Gipson, and two members of the private team.
In December, the pair announced that the Archewell Foundation had been rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies.
Earlier this week, Page Six also confirmed that 60% of Archewell Philanthropies’ staff, or three people, had been laid off.
A spokesperson for the couple said the change was “inevitable” and was due to “staffing shortages” within the organization.
“Currently, the same full team remains in place,” the spokesperson said. “This move means that some staff redundancies are inevitable, particularly in junior management roles.”
“We will not discuss the specifics of these appointments further other than to say that we are honored to work with incredibly talented and caring people who are dedicated to helping others,” the statement continued.
A Page Six insider said the couple had been “forced to cut staff” due to “significant costs” and the organization was struggling with cash.
“The big question was whether Archewell would close or another charity would take over,” a source told us.
“Harry and Meghan were looking for a financial sponsor, someone to shoulder the expense and keep things cheap. In reality, it’s all smoke and mirrors.”
Prince Harry, 41, and the Suits alum, 44, famously quit their duties as working members of the British royal family in 2020 and moved to Montecito, California, where they are raising their children Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Shortly after relocating, they launched Archewell, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary.
In addition to leading her charity organization, the mother of two launched a lifestyle brand, “As Ever,” and hosted two seasons of “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix.
