Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s chief publicist, Meredith Maines, is leaving her position after just one year, making her the 11th publicist to leave the couple within the last five years.

According to Us Weekly, Maines will step down from her role as Chief Communications Officer (CCO), which she took on earlier this year. During her tenure, she collaborated with Method Communications, a U.S. PR firm. The Sussexes reportedly ended their relationship with the company after seven months.

Maines announced that she would be leaving because she got a new job, which she will start next year. Despite public speculation about the Sussexes being difficult to work with, she expressed her appreciation for the couple, their team, and the positive impact of their work in an exclusive statement to the publication.

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.

A representative for Harry and Markle confirmed that Maines and Method Communications have completed their work with Archewell. The royal couple also released a statement saying that they truly did value their time with their former publicist and Method Communications, wishing them nothing but the best. Check out their message below:

Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with Archewell. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well.

Maines’ departure follows the exit of the Sussexes’ director of communications, Emily Robinson, who stepped down in October after just a few months. Robinson joined their team in June, after she worked on Markle’s Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. Reports claim that her decision to leave was of her own free will.

Markle has previously faced criticism over the years, with many alleging that she was difficult to work with. In 2021, The Times of London reported that the actor had mistreated the staff during her time at Kensington Palace, with claims that some employees were belittled and on the verge of tears.

More recently, in 2024, a report from NewsNation stated that the couple had seen the departure of 18 staff members across the U.K. and U.S. since creating the Archewell Foundation in 2020. One source attributed the high turnover to what was described as a hostile work environment, calling Markle “unbearable” and “condescending.“

With Love, Meghan can be streamed on Netflix.