Ashley Hansen, the global communications chief for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has announced that she will be leaving her role to launch her own business, Three Gate Strategies.
Ashley stated that her new venture will “specialize in communications and brand management for distinguished individuals and organizations,” with a particular emphasis on female-led businesses.
The Duke and Duchess will remain clients, and Meghan even assisted Ashley in brainstorming the name of her new company, inspired by a Rumi proverb suggesting that one should consider the “three gates” of truth, necessity, and kindness before speaking.
Ashley will continue to represent and advise the Duke and Duchess, along with their communications team. She also revealed plans to oversee Meghan’s commercial endeavors and other creative projects initiated by the former actress.
Meghan expressed her pride in Ashley’s new direction, stating: “We are so proud of Ashley, especially as a female entrepreneur. We look forward to having her focused expertise on our business and creative projects, as well as her continued oversight of our communications team. My husband and I are excited to stand by Ashley as she builds something truly special with her firm.”
Ashley added, “I am incredibly grateful to The Duke and Duchess for their ongoing trust. Their unwavering support and belief in my new firm have been meaningful and reflect their leadership. From the moment they hired me, I knew I was given the opportunity of a lifetime, and I couldn’t be happier to continue working together.”
Recently, the Duchess faced a minor setback when the trademark application for her new brand was refused, with the application citing that it is a “commonly used nickname” for the area.
While it’s currently unclear when the company will officially launch, insights into the products the brand will offer have surfaced.
Previous trademark applications indicated plans to sell items such as digital and print cookbooks, tableware (including cutlery, dinnerware, and decanters), napkins, tablecloths, and a variety of food products ranging from jams and jellies to spreads and butters. In April, the Duchess sent out the first of her products, with several friends receiving jars of jam.
