Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are facing renewed criticism from royal experts over their reported decision to restructure their team into a hierarchical organization resembling the traditional royal court they once rejected. The Mail on Sunday reported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have established a senior staff structure in Montecito, California, and the United Kingdom, led by Meredith Kendall Maines, a veteran communications strategist.
The move, viewed by critics as contradictory to their earlier stance on royal life, sparked accusations of hypocrisy from commentators who pointed to the couple's public criticism of royal courtiers and institutional structure. "The hypocrisy lies in the act that Harry has, especially in his most recent interview, attacked courtiers and the Royal Household, considering them enemies," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Daily Mail. "So it is extremely surprising that he should want a similar structure in Montecito."
Fitzwilliams referenced Prince Harry's memoir Spare, where he sharply criticized senior palace officials. "In Spare he excoriated senior courtiers. He, as his mother did, regards them as the enemy," he said.
Royal author Tom Bower was equally scathing, stating, "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."
He added, "What the Sussexes have assembled is not a 'royal court'. Rather, it's a hugely expensive group of bureaucrats signaling the Sussexes' final, desperate bid to save their brand."
According to reports, the revamped team includes 11 senior staff, each reportedly earning six-figure salaries. The Duke and Duchess will each have their own chief of staff, operating separately from their Archewell foundation. A spokesman said the couple "have retained the support of Method Communications to support their growing business portfolio and philanthropic interests."
Critics have raised concerns over the couple's decision to emulate royal structures while launching new commercial and lifestyle ventures. Harry is said to be preparing a new business initiative, while Meghan's brand As Ever will expand its product offerings later this year.
Fitzwilliams warned the overhaul may reignite scrutiny over past controversies, including allegations of bullying leveled against Meghan ahead of the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey-allegations she denied. "However there are question marks which have haunted the Sussexes entire operation," he said, citing a staff turnover of approximately 20 employees since the couple's move to the U.S.
Bower noted that, unlike Buckingham Palace's team-who he described as "under-paid, over-worked devoted loyal professionals"-the Sussexes' highly paid team serves a different goal. "If Harry follows Meghan to commercialize his title to earn some dollars then his currently minimal chance of reconciliation and return to Britain will be totally extinguished," he said.
