A former senior aide to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has spoken publicly about her time working with the couple, describing their decision to step away from royal duties as an act of courage.
Mandana Dayani, who served as Chief Operating Officer of Harry and Meghan’s organisation Archewell in 2021, said she respected the couple for challenging an institution she believed was not right for them.
Harry and Meghan announced in January 2020 that they would step back as working members of the Royal Family. The decision, widely dubbed “Megxit”, was followed by their move away from the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The couple later settled in California, although they have continued to return to Britain for various engagements.
The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex during a visit to Australia (Image: Getty)
Why Mandana Dayani admired their decision
Dayani, a human rights activist who later launched The Dissenters podcast, said one of the reasons she agreed to work with Harry and Meghan was the conviction she saw in their decision to leave royal duties.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, as reported by royal correspondent Richard Eden, she said watching the couple challenge the institution and openly say it was not right for them made a strong impression on her.
“Watching them dissent against this institution and say, ‘This isn’t right for us’, that to me felt really brave,” Dayani said.
She added that she had “a lot of respect” for the courage she believed the decision required.
Dayani joined Archewell during 2021 and remained with the organisation until 2022. Despite leaving the company, she said her relationship with the couple remained positive.
“We actually had a really great relationship. We still do,” she said.
Mandana Dayani (Image: Getty)
Her departure from Archewell
When Dayani left her position, Archewell said her departure had been mutually planned.
A statement from the organisation described Dayani as an “integral part of Archewell” and praised her passion, commitment and leadership.
According to the statement, Dayani had originally been brought into the organisation while Harry and Meghan were on parental leave, with the aim of helping move the company and its projects forward.
The organisation said she had continued to contribute to its vision and future before transitioning out of the role so the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could take a more direct lead of their company.
Dayani subsequently focused on other projects, including The Dissenters podcast.
Harry and Meghan (Image: Getty)
Questions over how long Harry and Meghan will remain in the UK
Harry and Meghan’s recent appearances in the UK have also prompted speculation over how long they might remain in Britain.
One person questioning whether the couple will make a longer-term return is Dickie Arbiter, a former Buckingham Palace press officer who served as press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Diana.
Arbiter worked at the Palace from 1988 until 2000.
He recently appeared on the At Home with Vanessa podcast while promoting his book On Duty with the Royals: The Inside Story of the Modern Monarchy 2000.
During the interview, Arbiter discussed what he believed were three reasons Harry and Meghan could eventually leave the UK again.
He said he did not believe the couple would remain in Britain for long and suggested Harry’s involvement with the Invictus Games could be one of the main reasons for his return.
Harry’s connection to the Invictus Games
Arbiter pointed specifically to the Invictus Games, which are due to take place in Birmingham next year in July.
He suggested Harry wanted to have a hands-on role with the event, although Arbiter questioned how much involvement organisers would ultimately want from him.
“I think one of the main reasons Harry’s come back is that he wants a hands on with the Invictus Games which is in Birmingham next year, July,” Arbiter said.
He added that while he was uncertain whether organisers would want Harry to have such a hands-on role, he believed they would welcome his presence to help publicise the Games.
The comments come as Harry and Meghan continue to divide their time between the United States and Britain, while former colleagues and royal figures offer differing views on what their future relationship with the UK might look like.