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Harry and Meghan introduce a new member to the Sussex team

Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images
Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have appointed a new private secretary to help head up their royal household.

According to The Mail on Sunday, the parents have hired diplomat Fiona Mcilwham to take on the prestigious role.

Formerly one of the youngest British ambassadors to Albania back in 2009, the 45-year-old has since worked her way up through the diplomatic service and describes herself as a "wannabe supermum" on social media.

The role in question reportedly involves co-ordinating the royal couple's official programme, supervising other members of the Sussex team and managing correspondence.

Mcilwham will replace Samantha Cohen who plans to leave the position of private secretary later in the year shortly after Harry and Meghan's highly-anticipated tour of South Africa in autumn 2019.

Prior to joining the Sussex office, Cohen worked as assistant private secretary to the Queen and was only supposed to work for the Sussexes for a short period. Though she decided to stay longer due to her reportedly good relationship with Meghan.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

The latest hiring comes amid news of a royal shuffle around with a number of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's team calling it quits in recent months.

Melissa Touabti, Meghan's personal assistant, was first to leave after six months in the role. In January, the royal's assistant private secretary, Amy Pickerill, was next to hand in her notice.

Heather Wong, who worked as assistant private secretary to Prince Harry, was the latest to bid farewell to Kensington Palace.

The Sussex household rejig comes after the royal couple split from the Kensington Palace base they shared with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to move to Windsor.

The duo have since moved on from the Royal Foundation too after setting up their own charity initiative.

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