The Princess Diariesis coming to life forMeghan Markle!
As she begins life as the new Duchess of Sussex, Meghan will have a highly-regarded new aide at her side. Samantha Cohen, 49, is set to becomePrince Harry’sprivate secretary when the current head of the couple’s household leaves this summer.
But Cohen, who until April wasQueen Elizabeth‘s assistant private secretary, has already been advising Meghan, 36, behind the scenes. Cohen has been helping the new duchess with protocol and navigating how to address people and manage her new position in the royal world, an insider tells PEOPLE.
Although Meghan comes across as someone on top of her new surroundings, the intricacies of royal life would be baffling at best and sometimes restrictive to a woman who has made her way in the outside world, including in the tough world of Hollywood.
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Cohen is believed to have tendered her resignation as assistant private secretary to the Queen, 92, after the monarch’s top staffer, Lord Geidt, left late last year. But she was persuaded to stay on and see through the organization of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting of April.
Soon after, it emerged that Ed Lane Fox was leaving Harry’s household after about five years – and Cohen was chosen as his successor as an “interim” private secretary.
Meghan previously said she wants to“hit the ground running”with her royal duties and she has surprised royal watchers with the number of outings and engagements – both in public and in private – she and Harry have done in the months leading up to the royal wedding.
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It is interesting that Cohen – who was the Queen’s press secretary before rising to the private secretaries’ office — is Australian and the Commonwealth is an area that the Queen clearly sees Harry and his wife taking a lead in. Harry was made Commonwealth Youth Ambassador as CHOGM kicked off, and Meghan joined him at two events that week – including one onfemale empowerment.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Sipa via AP Images
source: people.com
