LONDON: This week, Buckingham Palace confirmed that press secretary Penny Russell-Smith has taken over the top Royal PR post. The news follows the announcement that former Palace communications secretary Simon Walker will join Reuters, replacing outgoing PR chief Peter Thomas (PRWeek, December 9).
Russell-Smith, who joined the Palace press office as assistant press secretary in 1993, said she would take over the newly merged role of communications and press secretary.
She added that the Palace felt it was unnecessary to maintain both posts following the end of the Golden Jubilee year.
Russell-Smith will head a team of 11, overseeing all PR for the Royal family, except the Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry.
