In a significant development within the royal communications team, King Charles III and Queen Camilla have announced the appointment of Rhiannon Mills as a media secretary. Mills is a well-known figure in royal reporting, having served as a correspondent for Sky News for over a decade. She will take on this new role, serving as deputy to Tobyn Andreae, the current director of communications for the royal household.
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This move marks a rare yet not unprecedented transition from journalism to royal communication. Mills succeeds Laura Sullivan in the position and is expected to begin before the summer of 2024. The royal communications team is integral in managing media relations and liaising with various organisations regarding matters connected to the monarchy.
According to reports from The Times, sources close to the palace have noted that Mills is a “great fit” for this vital role. They praised her for her intelligence, quick thinking, good humour, and resilience—qualities seen as essential for navigating the complexities of royal communications.
Rhiannon Mills has accumulated extensive experience over her career as a royal correspondent. She has travelled globally with the royal family, covering their tours in countries such as Japan, India, Bhutan, and several regions across Africa. Mills has conducted numerous interviews with prominent royal figures, capturing significant moments in the monarchy’s history. For instance, she was the one who interviewed Prince Harry in 2015 about his wishes for a family, as well as Prince William regarding the Queen’s support during a tumultuous period following Princess Diana’s death.
Her contributions to royal reporting have been considerable, with her involvement in key royal events since 2015. Mills has reported on various significant occasions, including royal births, weddings, and milestone celebrations, such as when Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving monarch in British history. Her impressive track record in covering these events has undoubtedly prepared her well for her new role at the palace.
Jonathan Levy, the executive editor and managing director of Sky News, has expressed pride in Mills’s accomplishments during her tenure at the news organisation, particularly on the royal beat. He acknowledged the challenging landscape that has developed within the royal family and wished her success in her new position within the royal communications framework.
Interestingly, Mills’s connections to the royal family extend beyond her professional life. Her partner, Andrew Parsons, is a photographer frequently commissioned by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, adding another layer to her ties with the monarchy. This personal connection may provide her with additional insight and perspective as she undertakes her new responsibilities.
While it is uncommon for the royal family to hire a representative from the ranks of royal rota reporters, it is not without precedent. Previous appointments to the palace’s communications team have included journalists from various backgrounds, such as Andreae, who previously worked as an editor for The Daily Mail. Another notable figure, Simon Lewis, served as communications secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth II after his time at the BBC.
Rhiannon Mills steps into her new role at a particularly turbulent time for the royal family, as recent headlines concerning Prince Andrew have captured widespread media attention. The fallout from allegations of misconduct against him has dominated the news cycle, presenting a unique challenge for the communications team.
Mills’s vast experience and familiarity with the inner workings of the royal family may prove invaluable as she navigates this challenging environment. Her understanding of the intricacies of media relations and her first-hand experience with royal matters will likely play a crucial role in shaping the monarchy’s public image.
As she embarks on this undisputedly high-profile role, all eyes will be on Mills, and the royal family will be hoping her appointment will bring an air of stability and adept handling of communications during a period of scrutiny. With her wealth of experience, there is optimism that she can effectively assist King Charles and Queen Camilla in managing their public relations and fortifying the monarchy’s standing in the public eye.