Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reconnected with a prominent Hollywood public relations firm as they navigate one of the most challenging periods of their post-royal careers. The strategic move comes as the couple faces mounting pressure from persistent staff turnover and attempts to stabilize their public image while managing competing priorities between American entrepreneurship and royal family ties.
Return to Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis
According to Page Six, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have resumed their professional relationship with Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis (SSML), a bicoastal PR agency representing A-list talent including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jimmy Fallon. The firm will support Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, alongside the couple’s U.S.-based initiatives while collaborating with their internal communications team.
This partnership represents a full-circle moment for the Sussexes, as SSML originally represented Meghan during her acting career on Suits and has worked with the couple intermittently since 2017. The firm’s co-president, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, attended their royal wedding in May 2018, underscoring the depth of their professional and personal connection.
The reunion follows the December 2024 departure of chief communications officer Meredith Maines, who left after just nine months in the role. Maines’ exit marked the latest in a pattern of communications staff changes that has seen multiple senior personnel depart over the past year.
Staffing Challenges Continue to Mount
The communications restructuring coincides with additional high-profile departures from the Sussex operation. James Holt, executive director of Archewell Philanthropies and a nearly decade-long collaborator with the couple, has relocated to the United Kingdom to focus on raising his young family. While Holt will continue advising on overseas humanitarian initiatives, his physical absence removes a key organizational presence from their California headquarters.
The personnel changes arrive as the couple rebrands their Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, suggesting broader strategic shifts within their organizational structure. Despite the transitions, Liam Maguire remains in his position as their U.K. and Europe director of communications, providing continuity for Harry’s European-focused projects.
Industry observers note that the decision to return to an established firm rather than continue building an internal team may indicate a pragmatic recognition of the unique challenges facing the Sussexes. The couple requires expertise navigating both Hollywood entertainment circles and international royal protocols—a specialized skill set that few communications professionals possess.
King Charles Extends Highgrove House Invitation
Parallel to their professional recalibration, King Charles has reportedly offered Prince Harry and Meghan the use of Highgrove House during future United Kingdom visits. The gesture carries significant symbolic weight, as the nine-bedroom Gloucestershire estate represents the King’s personal sanctuary and has been his cherished retreat since purchasing it in 1980.
The invitation provides a practical solution to the security concerns that have complicated the Sussexes’ U.K. travel since they vacated Frogmore Cottage in 2023. Highgrove’s “ultra-secure” designation addresses the ongoing disputes over taxpayer-funded police protection that have previously deterred family visits.
Royal insiders suggest the offer may coincide with the “One Year To Go” countdown event for the 2027 Invictus Games, scheduled for Birmingham in July 2026. Meghan is expected to attend this milestone celebration, marking a potentially significant joint appearance in the United Kingdom.
The King’s invitation also creates opportunities for him to spend time with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whom he has rarely seen since the family’s departure from royal duties. Although Highgrove is technically owned by the Duchy of Cornwall under Prince William’s stewardship, King Charles maintains it as his primary weekend residence and retains authority over guest invitations.
Strategic Implications for the Sussex Brand
The dual developments—professional PR reinforcement and royal accommodation overtures—suggest the Sussexes are positioning for a more nuanced public presence that balances their California commercial ventures with selective royal engagement. The approach acknowledges that complete separation from royal identity remains neither feasible nor commercially advantageous, while full reintegration appears equally unlikely.
SSML’s experience managing complex celebrity narratives positions them to help the couple navigate this delicate equilibrium. Their track record includes crisis management expertise that may prove valuable as Harry and Meghan continue managing public perception across two continents and multiple professional ventures.
Whether these strategic adjustments can stabilize the Sussex operation remains uncertain, but the moves signal recognition that their current approach requires professional recalibration. The coming months will reveal whether this return to experienced counsel, both professional and familial, can provide the stability that has eluded them since stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
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