The head of Harry and Meghan’s media empire is leaving the company after 18 months – just days before the release of their Netflix documentary
- One of Harry and Meghan’s key employees quit shortly before the documentary’s launch
- Mandana Dayani, 40, stepped down as President of Archewell this weekend
- She is one of several senior figures to have left the Sussexes’ company
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost another key adviser, The Mail on Sunday is able to reveal.
Mandana Dayani, 40, stepped down this weekend as president of Archewell, the couple’s media empire and charitable foundation.
A spokeswoman for Meghan and Harry last night said the couple will “take full control of their business”.
With her US media connections, the Iranian-born activist was considered one of the Duke and Duchess’ key advisors.
She has been with Archewell for less than 18 months overseeing day to day operations.
Her surprise departure comes just days before a bombastic six-part documentary series about the couple’s acrimonious separation from the royal family – produced by Archewell and streaming giant Netflix – is released online.
Ms Dayani is the latest of at least 13 top executives to leave the Duke and Duchess since 2018.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lost another key adviser, The Mail on Sunday is able to reveal (pictured: Meghan with former Archewell President Mandana Dayani)
Her surprise departure comes just days before a bombastic six-part documentary series about the couple’s acrimonious separation from the royal family
Archewell’s global press secretary Toya Holness split from the Sussexes earlier this year, while Catherine St-Laurent, their chief of staff and director of Archewell, departed in March last year after just over 12 months in the role.
In a statement last night, Ashley Hansen, Meghan and Harry’s global press secretary, said Ms Dayani “was an integral part of Archewell and we are grateful for her passion, dedication and leadership”.
She added: “Ms. Dayani was hired while on maternity leave to help advance the company and its projects.
‘She successfully continued to shape the vision and future. Their transition was planned together, with the intention of the Duke and Duchess now taking full control of their company.
“There will be no replacement for this position and Ms Dayani is fully supportive of the Duke and Duchess in their new leadership roles and they remain friends.”
Catherine St-Laurent and Toya Holness both parted ways with the Sussexes
Ms Dayani, who describes herself as an “entrepreneur, lawyer, activist, executive producer and investor,” posted a picture of her alongside Meghan and Ms Hansen on Instagram in October.
As President of Archewell, Ms. Dayani oversaw the couple’s production and audio businesses and their charitable foundation.
In 2020, she launched a podcast with actress Debra Messing – star of US sitcom Will & Grace – featuring interviews with well-known advocates for social issues such as Sophia Bush, Hillary Clinton and Jane Fonda.
She played a key role in the development of Meghan’s Spotify podcast Archetypes and is leaving on the eve of Archewell’s biggest success: a Netflix series that will dominate headlines around the world.
Ms Dayani changed her LinkedIn profile this weekend to show her high-profile role at Archewell was over. Her page now reads, “President, Archewell, full-time June 2021 – December 2022, 1 year 7 months.”
While she has had two other activist roles to draw from, Ms Dayani has yet to list a new job title or position, suggesting she has not left Archewell to take on a new role.