In a significant shakeup within the royal communications team, Hannah Howard has bid farewell to her role as Press Secretary to the King, marking the end of a distinguished 12-year tenure serving the Royal Family.
Hannah, who worked closely alongside recently-appointed Tobyn Andreae in the communications department, ascended through the ranks with a remarkable career trajectory that included leading teams at the BBC before joining the royal household.
“Hannah left her role a few months ago but it’s been kept very hush hush,” the source said. “Hannah’s LinkedIn still lists her as being the Press Secretary to the King, but unfortunately she no longer works for the Royal Family.”
During her time at Buckingham Palace, Hannah spearheaded both the communications and digital communications teams, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Royal Family’s public image and engagement strategies.
Her contributions were notably recognized by the late Queen in 2018 when she was appointed to the Royal Victorian Order, a testament to her outstanding service and dedication.
“Hannah was one of the late Queen’s favourites,” the source said. “It’s a shame she’s gone and she will be greatly missed by the team.”
In 2022, Tobyn Andreae was appointed director of the communications team. Andreae is also the spokesperson for both the King and Queen. Educated at Eton and having read English at the University of Bristol, Andreae is no stranger to the press as he once worked as a journalist for the likes of the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and the Express. Former colleagues describe him as a sensitive fellow with old Etonian charm, gregarious and warm.
The Prince Harry debacle is said to have proved a particularly difficult hurdle for the Palace press office to leap. The King and Queen’s press queries will now be handled by other members of the Royal Family’s communications team.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Hannah Howard no longer works for the royal household.
