Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hired a new US-based communications team as they prepare to unveil Archewell.
The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, who now live in Santa Barbara with their son Archie, one, after stepping back from their royal duties in March, have recruited Christine Schirmer to lead their press team.
The former head of communications is joined by Toya Holness, who has been employed as the couple’s press secretary, according to an announcement by the couple’s PR firm, Sunshine Sachs, reported PRWeek.
The LA-based employees are understood to have started working for Meghan and Harry last month.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured in October) have hired a new US-based communications team as they prepare to unveil Archewell
Installed in the newly created leadership role, Christine was creative platform Pinterest’s head of communications since 2017 before she left the company in July.
Former footballer Toya has worked as director of corporate communications and marketing for Deluxe, a video creation and distribution company, and director of communications for New York City’s Department of Education.
When the royal couple officially left the Firm earlier this year, their staff was heavily scaled back.
Sara Latham, Meghan and Harry’s former head of communications was moved to the Queen’s private office, while the couple decided to keep UK-based PR James Holt, who will now report to Christine.
The duke and duchess will also continue to employ Hollywood PR firm, Sunshine Sachs.
The Duke, 36, and Duchess of Sussex (pictured left), 39, who now live in Santa Barbara with their son Archie, one, after stepping back from their royal duties in March, have recruited Christine Schirmer (pictured right) to lead their press team
News of the appointments come after Meghan and Harry launched a website for their new charitable foundation in late October.
Archewell, named in honour of their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, will serve as the home for the duo’s charitable activities and will focus on what the couple describe as ‘humane tech’.
The Sussexes registered the name Archewell, which combines the Greek word ‘Arche’ and ‘well’, in March but there was speculation the couple could postpone the launch until next year in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.
However the website going live suggests the couple are ready to move forward to the next phase of the release.
The Archewell landing page features a plain taupe background with the definition for the words ‘Arche’ and ‘well’ written in black font similar to the one used by their Sussex Royal brand.
It reads: ‘Arche (/rki/; Ancient Greek: ): (n.) Greek word meaning “source of action. Well (/wel/): (n.) a plentiful source or supply; a place we go to dig deep.’
Below visitors are encouraged to sign-up for email updates. The page also reveals Archewell is based in Los Angeles, close to the couple’s new $14million Santa Barbara home.
The website tagline reads: ‘Archewell is an organisation committed to creating compassionate communities online and off, to serve our collective wellbeing.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had originally planned to carry out their royal work under the Sussex Royal brand. However they were forced to give up the name when they stepped down as senior working royals earlier this year.
Speaking in April, the couple offered some insight into Archewell, saying: ‘Before SussexRoyal, came the idea of Arche – the Greek word meaning source of action.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a sleek website for their new charitable foundation last month. The website includes definitions for the Greek word ‘Arche’ and ‘well’
Archewell, named in honour of son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured last September), will incorporate causes close to the couple, including their interest in ‘humane tech’
‘We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name. To do something of meaning, to do something that matters.
‘Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon. We look forward to launching Archewell when the time is right.’
Catherine St-Laurent, who previously worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is Chief of Staff to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having landed the job from the beginning of April and she also serves as Executive Director of Archewell.