Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Partner Again with Hollywood PR Firm amid Team Shake-Up

Behind the headlines about new ventures and public appearances, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are quietly reshaping the machinery that manages their image — starting 2026 by bringing a well-known Hollywood communications heavyweight back into their orbit.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry started 2026 with a notable change in how their public-facing work is being supported: they’ve brought back a major Hollywood communications firm they know well.

People confirms that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are again working with Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis (SSML). The bicoastal public relations firm is supporting Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As ever, and also assisting with the couple’s U.S.-based efforts, according to the report.

SSML is widely known for representing A-list talent and steering high-profile entertainment projects — experience that could prove useful as the Sussexes balance brand-building with their broader public agenda.

A Familiar Partner Returns to the Mix

The renewed relationship isn’t being framed as a first-time collaboration, but as a return to a longstanding professional connection. SSML’s history with Meghan stretches back to her years on the series "Suits." The firm has also worked with the couple on and off since 2017, even as their roles, and the scale of their media footprint, shifted over time.

The association appears to have been personal as well as professional. One of SSML’s co-presidents, Keleigh Thomas Morgan, attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018, an indicator of how closely linked the firm has been to key moments in the couple’s public story.

Working Alongside the Sussexes’ Internal Team

While SSML is back in the picture, the Sussexes haven’t abandoned their internal communications structure. According to the same report, the outside firm is working alongside the couple’s in-house operation.

The couple also has Liam Maguire, their U.K. and Europe director of communications. Maguire remains in his position and has primarily managed Prince Harry’s communications, the outlet reports.

Their setup suggests the couple is leaning into a layered model: an internal point person focused on regional and role-specific communications, complemented by a Hollywood-facing PR shop capable of supporting U.S. projects and broader brand visibility.

The Move Follows a Departure at the Top

The timing of the SSML reunion stands out because it comes soon after a major communications change. In December 2025, the Sussexes’ chief communications officer Meredith Maines stepped down about nine months after she joined the role in March 2024.

A spokesperson confirmed the shift at the time, telling People, "Meredith Maines and Method Communications have concluded their work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess are grateful for their contributions and wish them well."

Why SSML’s Role Could Matter Moving Forward

Meghan’s brand venture is one clear reason the couple may be reinforcing their external communications support. Lifestyle brands often depend on consistent messaging, careful rollout planning, and an ability to respond quickly to attention — both the enthusiastic kind and the critical kind.

At the same time, the Sussexes’ public work extends beyond commercial projects. People notes that after moving to the U.S., the couple launched a nonprofit now known as Archewell Philanthropies. Coordinating messaging across philanthropy, business initiatives, and broader U.S.-based efforts can require different tones and different audiences, something a large PR firm is designed to navigate.

Now settled in the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to shape their public life largely on their own terms — balancing professional ventures with a more controlled window into their day-to-day world.

In recent years, many of their personal and project updates have been shared directly through social media channels, offering supporters curated glimpses into what they’re working on and how they’re spending their time. As their team evolves again in early 2026, the renewed SSML partnership signals an effort to keep that messaging consistent across platforms, projects, and audiences.