Meghan Markle’s payment to Michelle Obama’s ex press chief sparks fresh speculation

Meghan Markle has paid a huge sum to Michelle Obama’s former press chief, sparking fresh speculation about her next career move.

Meghan Markle has sparked fresh speculation about her next career move. Picture: Variety

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, paid $166,000 to Michelle Obama’s former press chief.

The cash, paid by the Archewell Foundation to Katie McCormick Lelyveld’s PR company, has sparked fresh speculation over Meghan’s political ambitions.

It follows revelations from The Sun of Meghan’s secret meeting with US presidential ­contender Gavin Newsom in 2020.

Ms Lelyveld served as former First Lady Mrs Obama’s press secretary from 2007 to 2011.

She has also been a PR for Hillary Clinton and former presidential candidate John Kerry, meaning she has deep ties to high-level Democrats.

Meghan Markle could be eyeing a move in politics. Picture: Ian Vogler/WPA Pool/Getty Images

According to the tax returns for Archewell, Prince Harry and Meghan’s charitable endeavour, it paid $164,000 to Ms Melyveld’s company KMLSA LLC in 2021.

The money was for “strategic support for social impact PR”.

The business boasts of its “decades of dynamic experience with influential leaders” and said it was the company that “global leaders turn to to navigate challenges with reputational, political, philanthropic, legal and financial lenses”.

In 2021, Meghan’s political activities included cold-calling US senators on their personal phones to talk to them over a law for paid family leave.

Senator Shelley Capito, a Republican, said at the time that she could not “figure out how she got my number”.

The same year, Harry and Meghan made a high-profile visit to New York including stops at the 9/11 memorial and museum and went to the United Nations to press for greater vaccine equity.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2021 Global Citizen Live festival in New York City. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP

While working with Mrs Obama, Ms Lelyveld travelled with her to 13 countries and earned warm praise from the former First Lady.

When Ms Lelyveld left the White House, Mrs Obama hailed her “intelligence, grace, quick wit, humour and friendship”.

Other politicians Meghan has cultivated include California governor Mr Newsom.

She and Harry held a video meeting with him in October 2020.

Among those who have called on Meghan to enter politics are Joe Biden’s sister Valerie Biden Owens, who said she would appeal to voters.

Meghan’s biographer and friend, Omid Scobie, has previously said that the ­former Suits actress “has her eyes set on the US presidency”.

A source said the Archewell payment was not linked to Ms Lelyveld’s professional political work but she was hired as an “experienced strategic adviser”.

Archewell declined to comment.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission