Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 's global press secretary has announced that she will be stepping down from her role. Ashley Hansen, the couple's PR chief for more than two years , is leaving her position to set up her own public relations firm. According to a statement, the Sussexes will become Hansen's first clients at her LA-based consulting firm, Three Gate Strategies.

Hansen will continue to represent and advise Harry and Meghan, whilst providing oversight to their international communications team. Commenting on the change, Meghan said in a statement: "We are so proud of Ashley, especially as a female entrepreneur. "We look forward to having her focused expertise on our business and creative projects and her continued oversight of our communications team.

"My husband and I are excited to be alongside Ashley as she builds something extraordinarily special with her firm." Hansen said: "I am incredibly grateful to The Duke and Duchess for their continued trust in me. Their unwavering support and belief in my new firm has been meaningful and is a testament to their leadership.

"I knew when they first hired me that they were giving me the opportunity of a lifetime and I couldn’t be happier to continue working together." Despite the gushing words from both sides, Hansen is the 19th person to have quit working for the Sussexes, following Josh Kettler who quit as their chief of staff in August after just three months. Hansen's firm Three Gates Strategies will specialise in com.