Ex-Kensington Palace employee Beth Herlihy becomes trusted Harry and Meghan aide
Ex-Kensington Palace employee Beth Herlihy becomes trusted Harry and Meghan aide
Dorothy Reddin Mon, October 19, 2026 at 1:56 PM UTC
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Beth Herlihy | Source: PA
Beth Herlihy, a former Kensington Palace aide with a television past, was photographed alongside Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during their visit to Nottingham last Thursday.
Photographs from the outing on October 15 captured Ms Herlihy walking beside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they greeted well-wishers.
She was observed quietly collecting bouquets and balloons that members of the public had presented to the couple during the walkabout.
Ms Herlihy's presence was first flagged by royal watchers on social media, with an X account identifying her near the Sussexes.
Before entering the world of royal communications, Ms Herlihy pursued a career in front of the camera under the stage name Bethan Coundley.
Her acting credits included a role as a stripper in the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a part that has resurfaced in media coverage each time her name appears in connection with the Sussexes.
The trajectory from television performer to Palace employee is an unusual one, taking her from on-screen appearances to behind-the-scenes work for one of the most high-profile couples on the planet.
Ms Herlihy was among the staff members let go by Kensington Palace in 2020 following the Sussexes' decision to withdraw from senior royal duties.
Prince Harry | Source: PA
Two years prior, Ms Herlihy remained with Harry and Meghan after the Sussexes split from the Royal Foundation, of which Ms Herlihy was an events manager.
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Despite losing her formal Palace position, she has continued to work with Meghan and Harry through their post-royal charitable and professional endeavours via Herlihy Loughran, a "small, high-trust advisory working with high-profile individuals, founders and organisations to build and deliver meaningful philanthropic work".
Ms Herlihy founded the business in 2020 with another former royal aide, Clara Loughran, who worked as Harry's programme manager and is married to the Duke’s ex-assistant communications secretary, Nick Loughran.
Ms Herlihy's ongoing association with Harry and Meghan became a talking point in February 2024, when she accompanied them to Whistler, Canada, for events linked to the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
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The Nottingham sighting suggests her role within the Sussexes' circle remains firmly intact more than six years after her departure from the royal household.
The Nottingham visit had already attracted scrutiny over its resemblance to an official royal engagement, despite Harry and Meghan no longer serving as working members of the monarchy.
Adding to the intrigue, the couple's own team had suggested beforehand that no walkabout would take place, citing insufficient security.
Their Nottingham itinerary took in the Community Recording Studio, Himmah, and Epic Partners, all organisations working with young people and local communities.
King Charles stressed last month that the pair were "private citizens" rather than working royals.
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