Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Taking ‘Full Lead’ Of Archewell After Mandana Dayani Resignation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are taking full control of their Archewell Foundation as a senior aide departs the organization.

Mandana Dayani resigned from her position as president of the nonprofit organization, according to a statement from Archewell obtained by People.

Dayani’s move was part of a “mutually planned” arrangement that will see Prince Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, stepping up to take “full lead” of the organization they started in 2020, the statement said.

“Ms. Dayani has been an integral part of Archewell and we are grateful for her passion, commitment and leadership,” the royal couple said in the statement. “Ms. Dayani was brought on during their parental leave to move the company and its projects forward. She has continued to shape its vision and future successfully.”

The statement continued, “Her transition was mutually planned, with intent for the Duke and Duchess to now take full lead of their company. There will be no replacement for this position, and Ms. Dayani is fully supportive of the Duke and Duchess in their new leadership roles, and they remain friends.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex started Archewell shortly after they stepped back from their roles as senior working members of the British royal family and moved to California in 2020.

The foundation was named after the Greek word “Arche,” which means “source of action,” because the organization’s goal was “to do something of meaning, to do something that matters.”

The Greek word was also the basis for the couple’s 3-year-old son Archie Harrison’s name. Prince Harry and Markle are also parents to daughter Lilibet Diana, 18 months, who was named after his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and mother Princess Diana, respectively.

Prince Harry and the former “Suits” star reportedly were banned from using the Sussex Royal brand after quitting royal duties.

Last month, Markle and the Archewell Foundation partnered with the non-profit organization Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) to pack lunches for its shelter residents. The duchess joined volunteers as they packed Thanksgiving lunches for over 300 homeless residents of Los Angeles.

Markle was photographed slicing pumpkin pies and putting them in to-go containers. She was dressed casually in a sweatshirt and baseball cap while wearing an apron and mask.

The organization’s leadership change comes as Prince Harry and Markle prepare to release their highly anticipated docuseries this month on Netflix. The six-episode project “Harry & Meghan” will give an intimate look at the couple’s life together after stepping back as working royals and starting a new life in the U.S.

Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” also hits shelves on Jan. 10.