Prince William's Private Secretary Quits After 10 Months

published 20 January 2021

Prince William's private secretary, Christian Jones, has quit just under a year after he took up the role in March 2020.
Jones is leaving to become a partner at a $25 billion private equity firm.
He was credited with engineering William and Kate Middleton's public presence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looks like the Cambridges might be hiring again: Prince William's private secretary, Christian Jones, has stepped down after just under a year in the role, as the Telegraph reports. Jones took up the position in March 2020, after William's previous private secretary, Simon Case, left to work for British prime minister Boris Johnson.

Jones, who was promoted to private secretary from his previous role as the Cambridges' communications secretary, left to become a partner at the £18 billion (about $25 billion) private equity firm Bridgepoint, where he'll lead corporate affairs. According to the Telegraph, Jones will continue to advise the Cambridges despite leaving his official role.

bradford, england january 15 christian jones, communications secretary to the duke and duchess of cambridge, accompanies catherine, duchess of cambridge prince william, duke of cambridge during their visit of city hall on january 15, 2020 in bradford, united kingdom photo by karwai tangwireimage — 'Christian Jones.'

While you might not be familiar with Jones' name, you've almost certainly seen his work in action: He reportedly played a central role in engineering the Cambridges' public presence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. "A royal insider told the Telegraph, "Whereas Simon [Case] was credited with making the Duke a statesman, Christian has really helped them to steer them through their public-facing role during the pandemic. He’s helped them to grow in confidence by gently pushing them out of their comfort zone."

Two Years of Marie Claire Magazine

Another detail about Jones? Before he worked exclusively for the Cambridges, he gave PR advice to both Kate and William and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, after Kensington Palace hired him as deputy communications secretary in December 2018. On Tuesday, he was named as one of four royal aides expected to give evidence in the Duchess of Sussex's lawsuit against publishers Associated Newspapers, who she is suing for breach of privacy over their publication of a letter to her father, Thomas Markle.

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.