Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new PR manager has a surprising link to King Charles III, it has been revealed.
The former royals welcomed two new communications executives to their PR team after former director of Global Communications Miranda Barbot was promoted to the role of vice president of Programs and Media Operations, PEOPLE previously reported.
One new hire is Charlie Gipson, “a protege” of King Charles’s former head of communications, Julian Payne.
According to the Daily Mail, Julian still has “close ties” to the 75-year-old monarch.
Mr Gipson, who previously represented companies Mars, Cadbury and Dominos, will now serve as Harry and Meghan’s main point of contact for all UK and European media.
Kyle Boulia joins as Meghan and Harry’s other communications executive. Both Charlie and Kyle will report to Ashley Hansen, who remains head of communications for the Sussexes.
Mr Boulia will reside in Los Angeles and will be the new deputy press secretary and director of Communications for US media. He has previously worked at leading global talent, sports, entertainment, and advisory company United Talent Agency.
Since the announcement that he will joining Meghan and Harry’s team, Charlie has removed any traces of his personal history from social media.
He has described himself as a “senior PR & Events specialist with over 15 years experience in consumer comms”.
Meghan and Harry have seen a decline in their popularity in the UK, particularly over their ongoing feud with the Royal Family.
The two parties have experienced a fractured relationship, worsened by Meghan and Harry’s decision to launch attacks against the Firm since stepping down as senior working royals in 2020.
Ever since, Harry has made various short trips to the UK for work commitments but has spent very little time with his family.
Meghan has not visited the UK since 2022, with their children – Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two – also having not visited since earlier that year.
Prince Harry is set to travel to the UK next month to attend a special ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The ceremony will take place at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, with Harry posing a speech to mark the milestone.
Meghan is said to not be joining Harry for the visit, instead opting to join him in Nigeria in the days followings.
