Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 14, 2025 · Entertainment

Meghan and Harry's PR Shake-Up: Six More Staff Exit After Twerking Video Controversy

The latest departures from Team Sussex include Kyle Boulia, their Los Angeles-based deputy press secretary

SUSSEX SHAKEDOWN: Meghan and Harry's PR Machine Implodes in Dramatic Fashion

In a shocking turn of events, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have parted ways with six key members of their team, leaving fans wondering what's really going on behind closed doors. Just weeks after enlisting the services of Method Communications, a high-profile PR firm, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are said to be "overhauling" their entire communications strategy.

At the center of the chaos is the couple's Los Angeles-based deputy press secretary, Kyle Boulia, who was reportedly shown the door after just over a year in post. Charlie Gipson, their European communications director, also bid farewell, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions about what really went wrong. Lianne Cashin, the former head of operations at Archewell Foundation, is another high-profile departure, sparking speculation that something is amiss within the Sussex camp.

Charlie Gipson, who had been serving as the couple's European communications director has also left the couple

But that's not all - Deesha Tank, Archewell's director of communications, as well as a personal assistant and Meghan's social media manager, have all reportedly left their posts in a mass exodus. Insiders claim the writing was already on the wall for some team members following January's scathing Vanity Fair exposé, which alleged that several staffers were left needing "long-term therapy" or took extended breaks after working with Meghan.

The bombshell interview by Prince Harry on BBC earlier this month - where he launched a fresh attack on his father King Charles and complained of an "establishment stitch-up" following the loss of taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK - didn't exactly go down well behind Palace gates, sources say. But was it just a coincidence that this latest shakeup comes hot on the heels of Harry's explosive TV appearance?

The Sussexes' efforts to reinvent their public image seem to be in full swing with the hiring of Method Communications and the appointment of Emily Robinson, a former Netflix publicity director who worked on hit shows like The Crown. Meghan has also brought on Sarah Fosmo, previously Bill Gates' right-hand woman, as her first chief of staff, while Harry has promoted long-time aide Miranda Barbot to the same role.

The social media manager is said to have departed before Meghan released her now-infamous 'twerking' video

But what's really behind this PR overhaul? Insiders hint that Meghan's increasingly erratic behavior and apparent lack of interest in her philanthropic work may have contributed to the mass exodus. The Duchess's Instagram antics, including that infamous "twerking" video with Prince Harry in a hospital delivery room, left many scratching their heads - was it a clever ploy or just a cringeworthy moment?

As Meghan focuses on growing her As Ever lifestyle brand (which, incidentally, seems to be struggling with inconsistent messaging), fans can't help but wonder what's next for the Sussexes. The Duchess told Fast Company magazine that she wasn't planning to launch new products until 2026, saying she was "pressing pause" until the business was "completely stable". But in a surprise move, she took to Instagram just days later to tease that her fans' favorite items would be returning this month - along with some brand-new goodies.

Meanwhile, Meredith Maines, the Sussexes' new chief communications officer, confirmed the exit of Mr. Boulia and Mr. Gipson, saying: "As the Duke and Duchess's business and philanthropic interests grow, I have made the strategic decision to move toward a more traditional communications structure... Transitioning from a team of two to an agency support staff of eight, operating across five different time zones, will give international media and stakeholders better access, and critically, faster response times to enquiries."

The couple have since hired Method Communications, a slick US-based PR firm, in an effort to revamp their public image

But what do you think is really going on behind the scenes? Is this just a clever PR move or are things more serious than we thought? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources:

  • Meredith Maines, Chief Communications Officer, Sussexes (via The Scholarly Note)
  • Insiders close to the Sussexes
  • Vanity Fair exposé (January 2023)
  • BBC interview with Prince Harry (February 2023)

Deesha Tank, Archewell's director of communications, a personal assistant, and Meghan's social media manager have all reportedly gone too.

The Duchess, meanwhile, is focusing on growing her As Ever lifestyle brand, although her messaging has appeared inconsistent in recent weeks