MEGHAN and Harry put together a top team – including a former Nick Clegg employee, a film producer, and a prominent lawyer – to win the royal briefing war.
The couple are surrounded by pundits dubbed the “LA spin machine” after it was revealed the Queen will no longer be silent about “suspicion”.
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Harry and Meghan surrounded each other with a top team of experts from various fields to win the briefing war against the palace, it is claimedCredit: Splash
Among the nine is US spin doctor Toya Holness, who recently stepped in to pour oil into troubled waters after the Duke and Duchess named their daughter Lilibet.
The 33-year-old told journalists the couple would not have chosen the name without the Queen’s support – after the BBC claimed the monarch was not asked about the use of her childhood nickname.
It comes after the couple threatened to take the company to court after reporters quoted a palace source.
The dispute is said to have sent Her Majesty “over the edge” – and she will react “robustly” to briefings from allies of Harry and Meghan in the future.
It comes as:
But Mrs. Holness is just one of those who surround the royal couple – and inform the friendly media about them with stories.
The consultants are described as part of “a rapidly growing team dedicated to promoting systemic cultural change and supporting compassionate communities around the world,” reports the Mail on Sunday.
Christine Schirmer is in charge of communication for the couple. She worked as a corporate comms manager at Apple and for the San Francisco-based marketing company Digg before assuming the position.
Cambridge graduate Jenny Afia is the lawyer for Meghan and Harry – and is likely to lead the threats against the BBC.
At the British Legal Awards 2008 she won the title Young Solicitor of the Year and works for prominent clients for the super law firm Schillings.
A key part of the team, James Holt began his career as a local reporter in Shropshire before becoming an advisor to Nick Clegg when the ex-politician was deputy prime minister.
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Toya Holness is the global press spokesperson for Archewell – and recently calmed down a dispute over the naming of the couple’s daughter, Lilibet
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Oscar nominee Ben Browning will direct the content for Netflix and SpotifyPhoto credit: Getty
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Top lawyer Jenny Afia represents prominent clients of the Schillings law firmPhoto credit: © David Levenson
He was promoted to Head of Government Communications on Downing Street before accepting a position with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
After five years, he started working with Meghan and Harry – and was promoted to Executive Director of their Archewell Foundation in March.
A new hire, Ben Browning, is an Oscar-nominated producer who will lead the couple’s multi-million pound deals with Netflix and Spotify.
In March, he became Head of Content for the creative arm of the Archewell charity.
Mr. Browning, former President of Production for FilmNation, has just been nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
But he’s also been linked to a controversial film about Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.
The film is tentatively titled Inquest and is still classified as “in development” – although credit has been removed from a list of its work on the film industry website IMDb.
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Christine Weil Schirmer is in charge of communications for the royal couple
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And James Holt, a former Nick Clegg employee, is Archewell’s general managerPhoto credit: Max Mama
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Meanwhile, Meghan’s longtime friend Janina Gavankar isn’t paid to represent Team Sussex – but has spoken to the press many times to defend the DuchessPhoto credit: Instagram
Keleigh Thomas Morgan, a longtime friend of Meghan’s and a guest at the couple’s wedding, is a PR consultant and partner at Sunshine Sachs & Associates.
Meghan’s former talent agent Nick Collins stopped working for her earlier this year – but has since taken a new job as a consultant.
Another longtime friend of the Duchess is also on the Sussex team.
Actress Janina Gavankar is not on the payroll – but appears frequently on television to counter any criticism.
When Meghan was accused of bullying her staff at the palace, Gavankar called the king “kind, strong, open” – and said, “Here is what she is NOT: a” tyrant. “EVERYONE of us who know her, feels the same. “
The Duchess vehemently denies allegations of bullying and says she is the victim of a smear campaign.
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Meanwhile, the couple’s former chief of staff, Catherine St-Laurent, has resigned after less than a year.
However, she should continue to act as a “senior consultant” – and offer the couple “daily guidance and support”.
When she decided to quit in March of this year, she was one of 13 key helpers who left the Sussexes.
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Keleigh Thomas Morgan is an integral part of the teamPhoto credit: Getty
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Nick Collins no longer works as Meghan’s talent agent – but continues to work as a consultant for the couplePhoto credit: GettyPrince William has “thrown out” Harry after an angry bankruptcy because of allegations of bullying by Meghan, the bomb book claims