Two new communications executives have joined the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are adding to their team.
Former Director of Global Communications Miranda Barbot has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Programs and Media Operations, PEOPLE confirms. In her place, Charlie Gipson and Kyle Boulia have joined the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as communications executives, both reporting to Ashley Hansen, who remains head of communications for the couple.
Gipson, based in the U.K., is taking on the role of Director of Communications, serving as a point contact for European media outlets. During his two decades in brand management and public relations, Gipson has led campaigns for clients including Instagram, Samsung and HARIBO.
Boulia is the new Deputy Press Secretary and Director of Communications for U.S. media, based in Los Angeles. He previously worked at leading global talent, sports, entertainment, and advisory company United Talent Agency.
Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, launched their charitable organization, Archewell Foundation, in 2020 shortly after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals. They also have a production deal with Netflix, including their two newly announced projects: a series curated by Meghan that will “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining and friendship” and a show that series will “provide viewers unprecedented access to the world of professional polo,” a sport that Harry has played for decades.
After parting ways with Spotify last year, Meghan signed a new podcasting deal with Lemonada Media.
“I’m proud to now be able to share that I am joining the brilliant team at Lemonada to continue my love of podcasting,” she said in a statement. “Being able to support a female-founded company with a roster of thought-provoking and highly entertaining podcasts is a fantastic way to kick off 2024. Our plan to re-release Archetypes so that more people can now have access to it, as well as launching a dynamic new podcast are well in the works. I’m so eager to be able to share it soon and am overjoyed to be joining the Lemonada family.”
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The staffing news comes weeks after Meghan and Prince Harry quietly launched a new website, sussex.com. The new page features a log of their latest endeavors and projects, biographies and links to their Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions hub.
In another digital update, Meghan returned to Instagram and launched a webpage as she unveiled a new lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard on March 14. A source exclusively tells PEOPLE that American Riviera Orchard “will reflect everything that she loves — family, cooking, entertaining and home décor.”
“She is excited about her latest, personal venture,” the source says. “This is something she’s been wanting to do for a while. She is excited to share her style and things that she loves.”
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According to trademark applications, Meghan is pursuing permission to sell tableware, cookbooks, jarred food products, cosmetics, furniture, home decor, beach accessories and more.
Just last week, fans got a glimpse at American Riviera Orchard’s first product: strawberry jam. Mindy Kaling, Abigail Spencer, Tracee Ellis Ross and more have shared looks at their jars of jam on Instagram, sharing their support for the Duchess of Sussex.
