Staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

[soapstar]

The discussion about the Cambridge/Sussex Royal Foundation, has been moved to the Royal Foundation thread.

[Dman]

I can’t tell you how happy I am to see both the Sussex’s and Cambridge’s establishing their own separate official households. It’s even more exciting to see the Sussex’s office Household being based at Buckingham Palace and that their PR Sara Latham worked for the Obama’s and Clinton’s.

[Fijiro]

Is Sara Latham American-citizen?

[Lyonnaise]

She has dual UK/US citizenship and a very impressive resume.

[Pranter]

Originally Posted by Fijiro

Is Sara Latham American-citizen?

Dual Citizenship UK/US

[Somebody]

She's ahead of Meghan in that regard :)

[Lemon Lyman]

Do you think we will see their events in the future engagements calendar from now on rather than the tweets a week or so before?

[JuliannaVictoria]

Originally Posted by Lemon Lyman

Do you think we will see their events in the future engagements calendar from now on rather than the tweets a week or so before?

I think so. I've been thinking this for weeks but didn't want to post anything. I was thinking that Meghan needed an American/British (dual citizen) to work with her. She needs someone who knows both extremes and I hope that H&M have found that in Sara. She also knows her stuff. This woman is formidable.

[Madame Verseau]

I'm glad the Sussexes are getting their own household but I am put off by the comm staff reporting directly to the queen's comm secy. It looks like reining Meghan and Harry in particularly for the People story and the baby shower. But having someone with American roots and familiar with the lay of the land in the UK is a boon for Meghan.

[Fijiro]

I'm also very happy for them. It is a good move. It is a natural progression of life; you grow up, you get married, you start a family, you move on to your own household.

.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Madame Verseau

I'm glad the Sussexes are getting their own household but I am put off by the comm staff reporting directly to the queen's comm secy. It looks like reining Meghan and Harry in particularly for the People story and the baby shower. But having someone with American roots and familiar with the lay of the land in the UK is a boon for Meghan.

I see it a bit differently. As we've seen, one of the major focuses in Harry and Meghan's official royal roles are gearing towards the Commonwealth of Nations. As it is the Queen who is the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations (with it already been decided that Charles will follow her in that role at the last CHOGM), it makes sense to me that the Queen's staff and the Sussex staff will be in close communication and located at the same place in Buckingham Palace.

I don't believe that there's any behind the scenes personal motives for this move. Only logical ones. JMO

[DuchessMia]

ITA, Osipi. I think it has more to do with their roles within the Commonwealth than any reigning in. I also see it as a clear delineation from the Cambridges and KP, which unfortunately has had some blunders and ineptitude over the years.

[MARG]

I think HM and Charles are really nailing down all the things that, if not organised and done with time, thought and precision, would be an absolute disaster if the Queen died suddenly. With all this organised and everyone settled in and the kinks having been shaken out, HM will have left everything running like clockwork.

It makes sense that the move should take place now with Harry and Meghan moving to Frogmore Cottage. To be honest, I think this was originally timed back before Harry even announced his engagement. Back when Sir Christopher Geidt had his massive run-in with Charles and Andrew. There was a lot of talk about "centralising" the various offices and communications department, then there was the gossip about the blowup and Sir Christopher and Samantha both resigned.

But, HM prevailed upon Samantha to see Harry and Meghan married and established and I think she must really like them as she has stayed beyond the originally stated six months. Unfortunately, Amy is moving overseas and so has resigned but is understood to be staying until the move to Frogmore is complete. As to Melissa?

Originally Posted by dailymail

She may have ditched a duchess – but she certainly hasn’t dented her CV.

After walking out of her job as personal assistant to Meghan Markle (she stayed for just six months), Melissa Touabti has landed a job with one of the richest families in London.

Melissa, 39, has been snapped up by Natalie Livingstone, journalist wife of billionaire Richard Livingstone who owns super-posh stately home Cliveden House.

Melissa is to be weekend nanny for the couple and their three children at their £20million Notting Hill home.

Melissa has also worked for Robbie Williams and Madonna and a source tells me: ‘She is one of the best in the business, so it was little wonder that the Livingstones snapped her up.

'She was never going to be out of a job for long.’

It’s thought Melissa got to know property tycoon Richard when she organised Meghan’s pre-wedding stay at £500-a-night Cliveden before she married Harry in nearby Windsor.

I have to be honest and wonder if Melissa was only working out her notice/contract and had been effectively poached back when she was liaising with the Hotel regarding the wedding.

As to the split between William and Harry? I think they are both happy with the future but sad their lives are moving further apart. HM really forced the issue when she named Harry as President of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust and now Meghan as it's Vice President. When you think about it, Harry must have been "in training" so to speak when he met Meghan because she has taken such an interest in the Commonwealth and even attended the Commonwealth Day Service before her marriage. And then there is her wedding veil . . . . . I don't know about anyone else but, whatever else Meghan is, prescient isn't one of them.

So, Harry and Meghan are perfectly set to establish their new home and office and lifestyle. Lots to look forward to but a bit scary all round.

[Zaira]

This is fantastic news. Sara is phenomenal. I am honestly shocked that they got someone this big to lead their team. Excellent news!

[Humbugged]

Originally Posted by Somebody

She's ahead of Meghan in that regard :)

She would be wouldn't she .She is following the same rules for her citizenship as everyone else that has married a UK spouse .

[Iluvbertie]

This is clearly positioning Harry as the same level as Andrew, Edward and Anne - royals whose staff report directly to the Queen's staff while William has an independant office that reports only to him. Charles' staff only report to him.

This is showing the way forward with the two future Kings with independent households while the alsorans are all lumped together under the Queen's staff.

[Marlo]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

This is clearly positioning Harry as the same level as Andrew, Edward and Anne - royals whose staff report directly to the Queen's staff while William has an independant office that reports only to him. Charles' staff only report to him.

This is showing the way forward with the two future Kings with independent households while the alsorans are all lumped together under the Queen's staff.

I don't think anyone cares if Harry is on the same level as Andrew, Edward, and Anne. Harry and Meghan will create an entirely new office of communications staff and courtiers at Buckingham Palace.

I don't think Andrew, Edward, and Anne have their own communications staff and courtiers. Am I correct?

Inside Harry and Meghan’s Split from William and Kate to Start Their Own Royal Household

“There had been talk about Harry and Meghan’s team moving to Windsor and having an office there but it wasn’t doable,” a source tells BAZAAR.com

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebr...ate-middleton/

[Countessmeout]

Great news. So surprise. With William's future role, it had to happen eventually and makes sense it happens sooner then later. They will still be connected by the foundation, but this covers their other roles and charities.

It seems Harry and Meghan are being geared more towards a commonwealth role. I suspect they will spend more time abroad. It makes sense to have their own office established at this time.

I don't find it surprising their press office answers to the queen's director. It may change down the line. Its a new office and new staff. There may not be an obvious person like Jason to run it. We may see in the next few years, they having their own head of staff, and not answer to the queen's/Charles'.

Both couples have chosen people with top resumes to head their fields. Not only politics, but Sara is the outgoing managing partner of Freuds, where she worked previously before her own firm.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Marlo

Inside Harry and Meghan’s Split from William and Kate to Start Their Own Royal Household

“There had been talk about Harry and Meghan’s team moving to Windsor and having an office there but it wasn’t doable,” a source tells BAZAAR.com

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebr...ate-middleton/

I seriously doubt Harper's Bazaar is actually a good source to go to for information on the royal households.

Of course it wouldn't be doable. Its much easier for communication for it to be housed at Buckingham Palace which is in London where its much easier for staff to commute to work. None of the BRF have their official offices and staff outside of London. Its just common sense.

With the way H&M's household will be set up, they're right there and it'll be easy for the Queen's staff and the Sussex staff to communicate. It makes sense to me seeing as it looks very much like H&M are gearing up to do a lot of work involving the Commonwealth of which the Queen, herself, is the head of.

So, the reality is that this is a non-story.

[Pranter]

Osipi normally I might agree about HB but the article was written by Omid Scobee and he's generally pretty accurate.


LaRae