Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have said goodbye to yet another American PR adviser, only weeks after their chief of staff resigned just three months into his role. Christine Weil Schirmer, who has previously worked for Apple and Pinterest, was already the head of communications at the Sussexes’ charity Archewell, but began managing the couple’s publicity in 2020.
However, Mail Online reports that Schirmer left her position ‘quietly late last year’. This makes her the tenth staff member to depart from the pair in the last three years. Schirmer, a communications advisor with over two decades of experience, has since joined PR giant Brunswick.
Christine Weil Schirmer was head of communications for the Duke and Duchess’s charitable foundation Archewell, however she has now quit
In an announcement on the Brunswick Group website, Christine was announced as a new partner at the firm’s San Francisco office. She said in a statement: “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Brunswick as a client and know first hand their ability to stay ahead of the issues that matter most. I respect that the team is always broadening their capability and feel fortunate to be joining them.” OK! has reached out to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s representatives for comment.
This news follows closely on the heels of the couple’s chief of staff Josh Kettler’s surprising resignation three months into his role. Kettler, a seasoned public relations professional, started working with the Duke of Sussex just before his and Meghan Markle’s three-day trip to Nigeria in May.
Kettler was also spotted with Harry at St Paul’s Cathedral on his last visit to London when he attended a 10th-anniversary service for his Invictus Games. A source told the MailOnline: “Josh Kettler is no longer working for them,” a source told the publication.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s chief of staff quit last month
This weekend, news broke that Prince Harry could be “nervous” in the run-up to his solo visit to New York. “Harry has spoken in the past about how nervous he has been before undertaking royal engagements, so he may still suffer with some nerves and I’m sure having Meghan with him makes things easier,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK!
It was claimed in reports that Meghan has decided to step back this time, allowing Harry to focus on the causes closest to his heart. “He doesn’t seem to suffer from any jealousy about the amount of attention that his wife gets,” Jennie said. “He looks incredibly proud of her. But Harry still shines on his own.”
She added: “We have seen proof of that during recent events in the UK without Meghan. The old Harry seems to come out again and he’s brilliant with the people he meets, especially the children.”
