Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of ‘hypocrisy’ over their new ‘royal’ court in Montecito after they condemned life as royals.
The pair, who abandoned their roles as senior royals in 2020, have revamped the structure of their staff to create a similar hierarchical system that has underpinned Harry’s family for decades, the Mail on Sunday revealed this weekend.
Meredith Kendall Maines, a seasoned communications strategist, will be at the helm of a team of 11, operating out of Montecito, California, and the UK.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams argued the couple has hypocritically created a similar structure for themselves to that of Harry’s family, despite recently attacking royal systems.
Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Fitzwilliams said: ‘The hypocrisy lies in the act that Harry has, especially in his most recent interview, attacked courtiers and the Royal Household, considering them enemies. So it is extremely surprising that he should want a similar structure in Montecito.
‘In [Harry’s memoir] Spare he excoriated senior courtiers. He, as his mother did, regards them as the enemy.’
The expert added: ‘The difference is, tragically, that she would not accept police protection as she distrusted it so. Ironically, it’s what he wants for himself and his family. He also claimed courtiers or their equivalent used security as a lever to prevent them stepping down as senior working royals.
‘So the ”Montecito model” better be different and they would be wise to pay attention to its advice.’
Meanwhile, royal expert Tom Bower has criticised the new reshuffle, claiming it does not resemble a ‘royal’ court but rather marks the couple’s ‘final, desperate bid to save their brand’.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who abandoned their roles as senior royals in 2020, have revamped the structure of their staff
The restructure represents a similar hierarchical system that has underpinned Harry’s family for decades. Pictured: Prince William and King Charles
Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Bower said: ‘Undoubtedly, the Sussexes would like to rule over a ”royal court” from their Montecito mansion. Nothing would give them greater pleasure than courtiers pulling their forelocks as they bow and scrape to please the Duke and Duchess.
‘Competing with Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace would delight Meghan. But what the Sussexes have assembled is not a ”royal court”. Rather, it’s a hugely expensive group of bureaucrats signalling the Sussexes’ final, desperate bid to save their brand.’
This week, the MoS revealed the restructuring will see each senior appointee reportedly earn a six-figure salary.
Mr Bower said: ‘Buckingham Palace’s ”royal court’ are under-paid, over-worked devoted loyal professionals committed to the traditions of a thousand year monarchy and the country they serve.’
He added: ‘If Harry follows Meghan to commercialise his title to earn some dollars then his currently minimal chance of reconciliation and return to Britain will be totally extinguished.’
Royal expert Mr Fitzwilliams added that the dramatic revamp has brought up questions of how successful the new operation will be, in light of previous ‘bullying’ accusations plaguing the Duchess.
‘We are promised new projects and initiatives in the months to come and obviously can then judge the success of this revamp,’ he said.
This week, the MoS revealed the restructuring will see each senior appointee reportedly earning a six-figure salary
Meredith Kendall Maines (pictured), a seasoned communications strategist, will be at the helm of a team of 11, operating out of Montecito, California, and the UK
‘However there are question marks which have haunted the Sussexes entire operation. The first issue is whether the high staff turnover which has characterised their ventures continues, with some 20 having left.
‘In the run up to the interview on Oprah, Meghan was accused of bullying, which she strongly denied. However this has been extremely damaging to her image…’
The new operation is set to be run separately to Archewell, the Sussex’s charity foundation.
The MoS revealed that the restructuring will include the duke and duchess each having their own chief of staff.
On top of this, Harry will launch his own as-yet-undisclosed commercial venture in the upcoming months, and Meghan’s lifestyle business, As Ever, will expand its range of products later in the year.
A spokesman for the couple said last night: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have retained the support of Method Communications to support their growing business portfolio and philanthropic interests.
‘Serving as an extension of the Sussex communications team, led by chief communications officer Meredith Maines.’
MailOnline has contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s representatives for comment today.
