Just when you think the tension between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the Royal Family couldn’t get any frostier, the Sussexes have made a surprising move that’s turning heads.
They’ve brought in a new communications lead — and not just any PR expert, but the same woman who helped promote The Crown, Netflix’s headline-grabbing drama that ruffled more than a few royal feathers.
A PR Pro with a Controversial Past
Emily Robinson, the Sussexes’ new Director of Communications, is no stranger to the monarchy — at least in its dramatized form.
She was the powerhouse behind global publicity for The Crown during its most talked-about seasons, from Series 3 to Series 6.
That means she oversaw promotion for episodes covering everything from Prince Harry’s infamous Nazi costume scandal to Princess Diana’s Panorama interview, and even those fictional ghostly chats between Diana and the Queen.
She was reportedly part of the team that resisted public pressure to label the show as fictional — especially during Season 5, which controversially depicted then-Prince Charles angling for his mother’s abdication.
The Crown’s Shadow Over the Royals
To many inside royal circles, The Crown wasn’t just uncomfortable — it was downright offensive.
The drama has long been seen as a sore spot for the Royal Family, which makes Robinson’s hiring feel like another step away from reconciliation.
“She ran the show’s publicity with an iron fist,” said one source, describing Robinson as a powerful yet polarizing figure at Netflix.
She left the streaming giant in April 2024, shortly after Season 6 aired — a season that many critics called its most provocative yet.
Season 6’s Sharpest Moments
In its final season, The Crown featured a particularly sympathetic portrayal of Mohamed Al-Fayed, Dodi Fayed’s father — suggesting he may have been targeted by a racially biased establishment.
This portrayal came despite widely circulated allegations about his treatment of women, many of which have since been substantiated by multiple sources.
The show even imagined a fictional encounter between young Prince William and Kate Middleton before Diana’s death, and painted Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, as a shrewd strategist trying to place her daughter in royal circles.
An Unexpected Hire… Or Not?
“It’s almost beyond belief,” said one insider, “that Harry and Meghan would hire someone fresh off The Crown.”
Considering how much heat the show has drawn from the Royal Family, the move feels — to some — like a deliberate signal of distance from the Windsors.
Netflix and the Sussexes already have a complicated history.
The streaming giant paid them a reported $100 million in 2020 for a five-year deal, which included their bombshell docuseries Harry & Meghan.
In that series, Meghan opened up about suicidal thoughts and feeling unsupported, while Harry accused the Royal Family of unconscious racial bias.
Harry’s Take on The Crown
Oddly enough, Prince Harry has publicly downplayed the drama around The Crown.
In a 2021 interview with James Corden, he said he was more at ease with the fictionalized show than with tabloid stories about his family.
“They don’t pretend to be news. It’s fiction,” he said. “But it’s loosely based on the truth.”
He echoed that sentiment again in 2023 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, confirming he had watched the series and even fact-checked parts of it.
“It’s important that history has it right,” he added.
A PR Strategy in Full Swing
Robinson’s appointment is part of a bigger shake-up in the Sussexes’ media team.
Earlier this year, they also brought in Meredith Maines as Chief Communications Officer.
Maines said she’s excited to help Harry and Meghan “tell their story as entrepreneurs, builders, and philanthropists.”
The couple has also teamed up with Method Communications to further boost their business and philanthropic messaging.
According to Forbes, this move reflects “tremendous growth” in the Sussexes’ various ventures.
Robinson’s Industry Credentials
To her credit, Robinson brings two decades of experience in entertainment publicity, branding, and strategic comms.
Before her time at Netflix, she led campaigns for major networks like VH1, Bravo, Discovery/TLC, and A&E.
An insider described her as someone deeply loyal to her clients, especially creatives and talent.
Meghan’s Growing Brand Empire
On Meghan’s end, her lifestyle brand As Ever has been making waves — despite some initial confusion.
After launching in April with products like teas, biscuit mixes, and edible flowers, she announced a temporary pause to reassess and avoid product shortages.
But that pause appears to be over, with Meghan now teasing new items, including a rosé wine and homeware collections.
She also launched With Love, Meghan on streaming in March and debuted a podcast titled Confessions of a Female Founder this spring.
A Busy Time Behind the Scenes
Alongside these hires, Sarah Fosmo has come on board as Meghan’s Chief of Staff, while Miranda Barbot has been promoted to the same role for Harry.
All signs point to a major communications push — and a carefully coordinated media strategy that keeps the couple’s brand front and center.
What It All Means
While critics view Robinson’s hiring as a slight to the Royal Family, it might just be another strategic move in the Sussexes’ evolving public life.
For Harry and Meghan, this may be less about settling scores and more about positioning themselves — with the help of seasoned media veterans — for a long game in storytelling, business, and influence.
Whether or not the Windsors see it that way? That’s a different story.