Prince William has hired a crisis management expert who is renowned for working “arm in arm with big names facing their toughest times”.
Liza Ravenscroft, who her former boss described as “bulletproof sunshine”, has been brought in from communications firm Edelman.
It is understood Ms Ravenscroft is in high regard with Julian Payne, a former communications secretary to King Charles and Queen Camilla.
“Julian Payne has stayed close to the King, so it is unlikely to be a coincidence that one of his most senior and respected members of staff has taken a key role in William’s office after a period of turmoil – and when they are looking for closer alignment between Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace as minds turn to William’s eventual succession,” a source told The Mail on Sunday.
William hired a crisis manager known for working ‘with big names in their toughest times’ | GETTY/LINKEDIN
A Kensington Palace source explained that communications experts support the royals with “a range of experience”.
They made clear that Ms Ravenscroft would only be operating in a “non-crisis” role.
Ms Ravenscroft, who previously worked as the Head of Global Media Relations for British Airways, shared on her CV that she tells companies “how to get past an issue as quickly as possible with minimum dents”.
She described herself as a “trusted and positive” individual who “believes in the power of strong relationships to defend and charm in equal measure”, which she draws from her experience as a journalist for the BBC.
Ms Ravenscroft previously worked for the BBC
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Ms Ravenscroft shared that she knows how to deal with “front-page stuff: from boycott campaigns to sexual allegations to serious safety issues, geopolitical and ethical risks”.
The descriptions could be drawn to the situations surrounding William’s relationship with his brother, Prince Harry, and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from grace.
The former Duke of York has been stripped of his royal titles and is due to leave his 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge in Windsor.
A statement from Buckingham Palace previously read: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
William’s new employee was described as ‘bulletproof sunshine’
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GETTY“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse”.
Andrew has always denied wrongdoing, but it is understood that the scandals surrounding the King’s brother became too much of a distraction.
The Duke of Sussex continues to gain media attention for his relationship with the King and the Prince of Wales, as well as his ongoing battles with the media and his security arrangements.
William’s new crisis manager is known for working ‘arm in arm with big names’
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PAReports claim that Harry’s police protection was “nailed on” ahead of his return to the UK this month.
The duke is preparing to travel to the UK for a court case, with claims emerging that reinstating his police security was all but certain following a new risk assessment.
New employee Ms Ravenscroft described herself as a “seasoned media handler who believes in the power of strong relationships to defend and charm in equal measure”.
A Kensington Palace source told The Mail on Sunday: “Liza is joining in a non-crisis based role in the KP press office, working on the day-to-day press interaction Kensington Palace has.”
They explained: “People who work in communications for the Royal Household come from an array of backgrounds.”