Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have appointed Emily Robinson as their new Director of Communications, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in entertainment publicity, including her work with Netflix.
Notably, Emily led global publicity for The Crown from seasons three to six – with the latest one featuring contentious storylines, such as Harry wearing a Nazi costume and scenes depicting Princess Diana’s ghost conversing with Queen Elizabeth II.
Sources claim Emily managed publicity for The Crown “with an iron fist” making her a “divisive” figure at the streamer.
She left her position in April 2024, shortly after the final season aired. A source told the Daily Mail, “In the circumstances, it’s almost beyond belief that Harry and Meghan would hire someone straight from The Crown.”
The Sussexes are said to be aware of Emily’s connection to The Crown but view it as just one aspect of her extensive career.
Another insider spoke highly of Emily, saying, “She was always very charming and supportive to Peter Morgan and all the actors in The Crown. She is one of the breed of publicists who think that the talent can do no wrong.”
The Sussex’s internal team has also teamed up with Method Communications, a firm described as “an integrated relations and marketing agency that combines earned, owned, paid and shared media to help brands capture the spotlight and achieve meaningful business outcomes.”
Meredith Maines, who took on the role of chief communications officer in February, arranged for Method to be retained to assist the couple’s growing business and philanthropic endeavors.
This development comes as the couple are setting up their own household structure, marking a significant shift from their past setups.
Each will have their own chief of staff as part of this professional split, moving away from their previous reliance on informal advisors for public and commercial activities.
Last night, the Sussexes’ CCO said in a statement, “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 of specialist agency support, as previously reported in Forbes and PR Week several weeks ago.
“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 inquiries.”