
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are officially creating a new household in the run-up to their move and royal baby.
- There are a number of announcements to come from that news, including that Meghan and Harry have hired Sara Latham, who used to work for Hillary and Bill Clinton.
- Meghan just lost several staffers including her top royal aide, Amy Pickerill, in an amicable paring. Go here for that story.
NOW everything's coming into focus: The Queen is officially giving the okay to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to create their own household, complete with their own dedicated staff. This was expected, especially in the wake of their marriage, new house, and new baby, but now that it's officially going forward, all the royal staff departures recently make more sense. Sadly, this also means the official "breakup" of the Fab Four, at least in terms of their office, which will no longer support all four of them (although they're all so busy, I imagine this is probably for the best).
Here's all the recent news to come out of the official announcement, as well as context for some of the royal staff additions and departures.
Meghan and Harry just hired a famous PR rep.
It's just been announced that Sara Latham, who used to work with Bill and Hillary Clinton, has joined the two royals' household as the new dedicated head of communications.
Per the Daily Mail, she worked with Hillary on her 2016 presidential campaign as a senior advisor and with Tony Blair on his 2005 election campaign. Between 1996-2000, she also worked with Bill Clinton in a deputy assistant and scheduling role. Like Meghan, Latham is a dual American-British citizen.
This might mean the end of the Royal Foundation.
According to royal reporter Emily Andrews, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will probably set up their own charitable foundation; Kate and William might keep the Royal Foundation for the two of them and perhaps their family, or they might create something totally new. Also, there might be changing Twitter handles (the MOST important issue!).
Plus I also think this is the end of the Royal Foundation in its present form. The Sussexes will either leave and set up their own charitable vehicle, leaving it just the RF of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, or it will be split in two. I’d say the former more likely.March 14, 2019
And their former rep is working with Kate and William.
Jason Knaupf, who oversaw Meghan and Harry's wedding and has been a part of the Fab Four staff as their PR rep, is now a "senior adviser" for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their charities. So he's not leaving or been fired, just simply finding a new role in the new official structure.
There's been a lot of turnover lately.
The Fab Four lost their special advisor Sir David Manning (again, with the news, this makes sense, since he was serving all four of them). Prior to that, Meghan's new personal assistant "Melissa," left after only a few months in the gig, their interim private secretary Samantha Cohen announced her resignation, and then the the Duke and Duchess's chief protection officer left as well.
Meghan just lost her "right-hand woman" Amy Pickerill a few days ago. But since the structure is changing, staff changes also make sense.
It's an intense job, and people get burned out.
Apparently there's no other explanation needed for all this staff turnover except being in the job for a few years. Royal expert Dickie Arbiter explained to Global News, "I was one of the Queen’s press secretaries with the remit. In addition to answering to her, 90 per cent of my time was [spent] looking after the Prince of Wales and Diana,” said Arbiter, who worked closely with the Queen for 12 years. I’d [been on the] job with them for five years. Any longer and I would’ve been burnt out."
"By outward appearances, it has been a bit of a ‘revolving door,’ [but] it just so happens with the Cambridge and Sussex households [that] employees started around the same time," he added.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
I Wear Exclusively Neutrals—These 14 Items From Banana Republic's MDW Sale Speak To Me
Live your best life in linen.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Kylie Jenner and I Share The Same Favorite Phone Case Brand
The serotonin-boosting case I can't go a day without.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
The 14 Must-Haves Marie Claire Editors Are Buying During Nordstrom's Enormous Sale
Thousands of cult products are discounted during Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale—but they're going fast.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Seen Skipping Happily With Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in Behind-the-Scenes Footage
This is too cute.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Blames 'Daily Mirror' Publishers for Chelsy Davy Breakup in Court Documents
The court case began this week.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Tabloid Stories About Prince Harry Came From Members of the Royal Family, 'Daily Mirror' Publisher Claims
These claims could corroborate previous statements from Harry.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Hugged a Little Girl Who Burst Into Tears During Windsor Walkabout, And Told Her Mom to Get Her an Ice Cream
So cute!!!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Here's How Princess Kate Kept an Eye on Prince Louis During the Coronation, According to a Body Language Expert
Smart.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Louis Was Filmed Eating a S'more So Delicious It Literally Made Him "Weak at the Knees"
Oh, Louis.
By Iris Goldsztajn