Boss of Harry and Meghan’s TV firm leaves after 18 months, days before Netflix documentary release
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The head of Harry and Meghan’s media empire leaves after 18 months, just days before the release of his Netflix documentary
- One of Harry and Meghan’s key aides quit just before the documentary was released
- Mandana Dayani, 40, resigned as Archewell president this weekend
- She is one of several high-ranking figures to leave the Sussexes’ company.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost another key aide, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Mandana Dayani, 40, stepped down this weekend as chairwoman of Archewell, the couple’s media empire and charitable foundation.
A spokeswoman for Meghan and Harry said last night that the couple would “take full leadership of their company”.
With her connections to the US media, the Iranian-born activist was considered one of the duke and duchess’s most important advisers.
He has been at Archewell, where he oversaw daily operations, for less than 18 months.
Their surprise outing comes just days before a six-part documentary series about the couple’s acrimonious separation from the royal family, produced by Archewell and streaming giant Netflix, premieres online.
Ms Dayani is the latest of at least 13 senior officials to leave the Duke and Duchess since 2018.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost another key aide, The Mail on Sunday can reveal (Pictured: Meghan with former Archewell chair Mandana Dayani)
Their surprise outing comes just days before a six-part documentary series about the couple’s acrimonious separation from the royal family.
Toya Holness, Archewell’s global press secretary, parted ways with the Sussexes earlier this year, while Catherine St-Laurent, their chief of staff and Archewell director, left in March last year after just over 12 years. months in office.
In a statement, Ashley Hansen, Meghan and Harry’s global press secretary, said last night that Ms. Dayani “has been an integral part of Archewell and we are grateful for her passion, commitment and leadership.”
She added: ‘Ms Dayani was hired during her parental leave to move the company and its projects forward.
‘She has continued to successfully shape her vision and future. Her transition was planned jointly, with the intention that the Duke and Duchess would now take full leadership of their company.
“There will be no replacement for this role, and Ms. Dayani fully supports the Duke and Duchess in their new leadership roles, and they remain friends.”
Catherine St-Laurent and Toya Holness parted ways with the Sussexes.
Describes herself as an “entrepreneur, lawyer, activist, executive producer and investor”, Ms. Dayani posted a photo on Instagram in October of herself alongside Meghan and Ms. Hansen.
As Archewell’s president, Ms. Dayani oversaw the couple’s audio and production companies and their non-profit foundation.
In 2020, he launched a podcast with actress Debra Messing, star of the American sitcom Will & Grace, which featured interviews with well-known advocates for social issues, including Sophia Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Jane Fonda.
He played a key role in the development of Meghan’s Archetypes podcast on Spotify and is leaving on the eve of Archewell’s biggest hit: a Netflix series that will dominate headlines around the world.
Ms Dayani changed her LinkedIn profile this weekend to show that her high-profile role at Archewell was over. Her page now reads: “President, Archewell, full time June 2021 to December 2022, 1 year and 7 months.”
While she has been able to fall back on two other activist roles, Ms Dayani has yet to list a new title or job title, suggesting she did not leave Archewell to take up a new job.