Prince Harry has been warned against using his title for commercial purposes by a royal commentator as the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle's bid to create their own 'royal' household structure.
The Sussexes, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020, have dramatically revamped their staff structure to mirror the hierarchical system that has underpinned the monarchy for decades.
The couple will each have their own chief of staff as part of this new arrangement, which represents a significant shift from their previous reliance on informal advisers.
At the helm of this new operation will be Meredith Kendall Maines, a seasoned communications strategist whose role has drawn comparisons with Sir Clive Alderton, the Private Secretary to King Charles and Queen Camilla. She will lead a team of 11 staff operating out of Montecito, California, and the UK.
Prince Harry has been warned against using his title for commercial purposes by a royal commentator as the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle's bid to create their own 'royal' household structure.
Reuters
The couple appear to be adopting the same trusted methods as the monarchy to build their business and philanthropic interests.
Royal commentator Tom Bower has criticised the Sussexes' new structure, rejecting the notion that it constitutes a genuine royal court.
Bower said: "Undoubtedly, the Sussexes would like to rule over a 'royal court' from their Montecito mansion."
He continued: "Competing with Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace would delight Meghan. But what the Sussexes have assembled is not a 'royal court'.
The Duke of Sussex is set to launch his own as-yet-undisclosed commercial venture in the coming months.
Reuters
"Rather, it's a hugely expensive group of bureaucrats signalling the Sussexes' final, desperate bid to save their brand."
Bower drew a stark contrast between the couple's operation and the traditional royal household.
He 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.
The Duke of Sussex is set to launch his own as-yet-undisclosed commercial venture in the coming months.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The couple appear to be adopting the same trusted methods as the monarchy to build their business and philanthropic interests.
Getty
Bower also suggested that Harry's commercial activities could further damage his relationship with his family in Britain.
He said: "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."
This restructuring will operate separately from Archewell, the Sussexes' philanthropic foundation. Each senior appointee in the new household will reportedly earn a six-figure salary.
Long-term aide James Holt, who featured in the couple's Heart of Invictus Netflix docuseries, will not be part of the new household but will remain in charge of Archewell.
