In a bombshell exposé that could rival the juiciest royal gossip, Ashley Hansen, former press secretary for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, has pulled back the curtain on what it was really like working for the high-profile couple. Hansen, who served as the Sussexes’ global press secretary from 2022 until her departure in 2023, has become the ultimate whistleblower, shedding light on the chaotic and exhausting reality of managing their public image.
Contrary to the glitz and glamour one might associate with working for royalty, Hansen describes her role as anything but glamorous. Instead of champagne toasts and red carpets, her days were filled with relentless crisis management and sleepless nights. Hansen paints a picture of an all-consuming job that left her emotionally drained and in desperate need of a healing retreat.
Hansen’s role wasn’t just demanding—it was a 24/7 battle to salvage the Sussex brand. She reveals that her job involved obsessively monitoring media coverage, launching counterattacks on social media, and constantly putting out fires sparked by Meghan and Harry’s never-ending drama. It was, as she describes, a never-ending game of whack-a-mole, with the moles being press stories and the mallet being Meghan’s micromanagement.
Hansen’s revelations highlight the immense pressure she faced. Instead of crafting a sustainable PR strategy, she found herself constantly reacting to crises created by the couple. Meghan’s tendency to ditch plans at the last minute left Hansen scrambling to keep up, while Harry’s passive approach added to the chaos. The lack of structure and constant upheaval took a severe toll on Hansen’s mental health, leading to exhaustion and breakdowns.
One of the most shocking details Hansen shares is the existence of the Sussex “War Room.” With no formal office, the PR team was forced to operate out of someone’s living room, where they obsessively tracked every mention of the couple in the media. Their mission? To launch counterattacks against any negative press, no matter how small. This wasn’t traditional PR—it was all-out media warfare, driven by Meghan’s desire to control the narrative at any cost.
After a year of enduring this emotional rollercoaster, Hansen reached her breaking point. She describes her experience as “indentured servitude,” with no time for a personal life or even a moment of peace. The constant stress and lack of appreciation left her mentally and emotionally depleted. Despite her dedication, Hansen received little credit for her efforts, ultimately leading her to walk away from the role.
Hansen’s departure was framed with the usual polite farewells, but the truth was far from rosy. The experience left her scarred, and she continues to recover from the toll it took on her mental health. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of working for high-profile figures who prioritize control over collaboration.
Ashley Hansen’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into the chaotic world of Meghan and Harry’s media empire. What was meant to be a dream job turned into a nightmare of endless crises, micromanagement, and emotional exhaustion. As the Sussexes continue to navigate their public lives, Hansen’s story stands as a cautionary tale about the cost of working behind the scenes in the world of royal PR.
