Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's international expansion of their PR operation is "long overdue" for a couple in their position and is a strong investment in their future, an entertainment expert has told Newsweek. However, whether it can turn around their divisive public image remains to be seen.
The royal couple have added two high-powered communications professionals to their team to overhaul their relationships with the media, amid a number of new ventures in the entertainment sphere.
Former United Talent Agency communications pro Kyle Boulia has joined the Sussexes' California team as deputy press secretary and director of communications, becoming the main point of contact for all U.S. media outlets.
PR professional Charlie Gipson has also taken on the task of heading up the couple's first U.K. hub since their split from the monarchy. As director of communications, Gipson will be the point of contact for all U.K. and European media outlets wanting information about Harry and Meghan.
Both Boulia and Gipson will report to the couple's incumbent global press secretary and head of communications, Ashley Hansen. These high-powered (and presumably high-priced) new appointments are the biggest signals that Harry and Meghan are planning on expanding their creative and philanthropic outputs and becoming a larger presence on the global stage.
Mark Boardman, entertainment expert and founder of MarkMeets, told Newsweek this will leave the couple's newly enhanced team with a series of reputational challenges.
"Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's PR team expansion is a long-overdue move," he said. "The couple's public image strategy clearly needed reevaluation, and these new hires indicate a new focus with areas for improvement and a more resourceful press team needed to take charge."