Two Palace aides who lost their jobs in March are back on the Sussexes payroll on the matchmaking spree

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have beefed up their rapidly expanding staff by rehiring two palace aides who lost their jobs when the royal couple left the UK.

In recent months, Harry and Meghan have made a number of key appointments to head their next nonprofit foundation, Archewell, in addition to starting their own in-house public relations team.

Now, it can be revealed, they have hired ex-palace staff Clara Loughran and Beth Herlihy independently to work on charity projects in the UK.

The couple, both in their 30s, lost their jobs in March when Harry and Meghan moved to North America. His appointment follows that of the couple’s UK head of public relations, James Holt.

It can be revealed that Harry and Meghan have employed ex-palace staff Clara Loughran (pictured) and Beth Herlihy independently to work on charity projects in the UK.

With a number of new hires in the U.S., including a communications chief, press secretary, and chief of staff, industry experts say the bill for your partner’s equipment so far could easily exceed the million pounds sterling a year.

This does not include personal assistants, staff working on your podcast and production projects, domestic servants, and private security.

Ms Loughran, born in New Zealand and married to Harry’s former assistant communications secretary Nick Loughran, had worked for the prince since 2015, organizing his official engagements and charitable initiatives. She was named a Member of the Royal Victorian Order, an honor bestowed upon those who have served the monarchy with dedication in a personal capacity, by the Queen, on the recommendation of Harry.

Miss Herlihy served as the director of the Sussexes program since September 2018. She had also worked alongside Harry for over four years as an events coordinator at the Royal Foundation, started by Harry with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. She and Ms. Loughran were among the 13 most taxpayer-funded employees who lost their jobs in March when Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties.

Together again: the couple and their rehired staff member Beth Herlihy (pictured right)

They recently formed Herlihy Loughran, which describes itself as an “advisory association” that links “influencers” and organizations with good causes.

Harry and Meghan are among his first clients, sources confirmed. They have been employed in addition to their current UK PR chief, Mr Holt, in the inset of the photo.

Last month it was announced that the Sussexes had hired Christine Weil Schirmer, 42, a former communications chief at the website Pinterest, to lead their public relations assault in the United States.

The mother of one attended the same American university as Meghan, Northwestern.

They have also appointed a press secretary. Toya Holness has worked for the famous William Morris Endeavor agency. A “stellar” footballer who played for her college team in California, her friends describe her as “bold and outgoing.” The Sussexes had already poached another important figure, Catherine St Laurent, as chief of staff. She is also the CEO of Archewell, which is expected to launch in the new year after months of delays.

His appointment is in addition to the couple’s UK head of public relations, James Holt (pictured)

Ms. St Laurent had been responsible for the Melinda Gates profile and communication activities at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Industry insiders said the salary expense for the three US appointments is unlikely to be less than £ 650,000 a year plus benefits.

Public relations expert Mark Borkowski said the scope of the new appointments demonstrated the couple’s “global” ambitions.

It is clear that a large operation is being organized there. What will be interesting to see is whether these [new] people challenge the way [the couple] get things done, ‘he said.

“The focus on them is quite relentless and they clearly want to change the established narrative around them now that they are trying to launch in America.”