Clue suggests Meghan is doing the Sussexes’ social media herself

Like a game of Royal Survivor, the teams are constantly changing in the British royal family. And now with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex having left the camp completely — just who’s left in each team?

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Dawson – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Like a game of Royal Survivor, the teams are constantly changing in the British royal family.

And now with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex having left the camp completely — just who’s left in each team?

Each royal household has its own department, which liaises with the Queen’s A-team to ensure protocol is maintained, but since Megxit, the lines of communication are not blurred, but invisible.

According to Diana, Princess of Wales’ former private secretary, the Sussex camp threatens the royal system with its revolutionary new ways.

“They leave a battered and dazed House of Windsor which should now be wondering how to prepare for the next assault,” Patrick Jephson wrote in the UK’s Times.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Having made their final official engagements in the UK over the past few days, Harry and Meghan have axed their UK team, because as no longer working royals, the funding from Prince Charles has gone.

Many of the team were recent hires with some serious CVs, such as communications secretary Sara Latham, who has previously worked for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and private secretary Fiona Mcilwham, who joined the team in August from the Foreign Office.

The Sussexes distanced themselves from the blame, writing on their website they “shared this news with their team personally in January once they knew of the decision, and have worked closely with their staff to ensure a smooth transition for each of them,” adding it “has understandably been saddening … given the closeness of Their Royal Highnesses and their dedicated team.”

Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, leave the annual Westminster Abbey with the soon-to-retire royals behind. Picture: Phil Harris/AP

Now based in Canada — although it’s not certain they will stay permanently — it has been reported Meghan has been using the services of PR advisor and friend Keleigh Thomas Morgan on building a strategy for their new not-for-profit charity, expected to launch imminently.

Thomas Morgan is a partner at PR firm Sunshine Sachs, which represented Meghan when she was on Suits. Their roster includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lopez.

Reportedly their UK team had nothing to do with the recent deals for the couple to appear at a JP Morgan summit and brainstorming session at Stanford University. And it’s not clear whether Harry took any advice when he was embarrassingly pranked by Russian hoax callers Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexey Stolyarov.

The new Canadian residents at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Picture: Simon Dawson/Getty

As to who is behind their social media statements, written in American-ese, insiders suggest it’s Meghan taking a hands-on role. Certainly, their posts are more personal than anything likely to have come out of a royal communications team.

When Buckingham Palace stated the pair could no longer use the term royal in their branding, they posted a statement saying: “While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word ‘Royal’ overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’ or any iteration of the word ‘Royal’ in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020.”

Harry and Meghan were busy while in London – this time at The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty

“We’re not sure what will happen next. With Team Sussex in the UK soon to be disbanded, the rule book is about to go out the window,” says Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty Magazine.

“Presumably, the Sussexes will have people working for them in North America, but quite how this will work remains to be seen.”

As the couple’s last trip to the UK shows, if they want to continue to work closely with the royal family through their 12-month trial period, they are going to have to communicate.

Otherwise their new showbiz strategy might backfire.

THE QUEEN

Private secretary: Sir Edward Young As the most senior of the private secretaries, he’s the man who says yes or no and steadies the royal ship.

Communications secretary: Donal McCabe A former communications director of Ladbrokes, Donal took up the post last year and is the point of liaison with the press.

Queen Elizabeth II. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty

Prince Charles. Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty

CHARLES AND CAMILLA

Private secretary: Clive Alderton Previously a diplomat, Clive is the key advisor to Prince Charles and is helping to shape him into the king he wants to be.

Communications secretary: Julian Payne A former BBC director of communications, Julian liaises with the press for Charles and Camilla.

Originally published as Clue suggests Meghan is doing the Sussexes’ social media herself