Liza Ravenscroft, who led crisis communications at PR giant Edelman, has been recruited to join Prince William’s communications team at Kensington Palace.
The appointment brings a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience in journalism and crisis management into the royal fold.
On her LinkedIn profile, Ravenscroft describes herself as “working arm in arm with big names facing into their toughest times”.
Ravenscroft studied English at the University of Reading before completing a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism at City, University of London.
A Kensington Palace source confirmed this week that her responsibilities will centre “on the day to day press interaction Kensington Palace has” rather than serving in a dedicated crisis capacity.
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Her career began in the early 2000s as a journalist at the BBC, where she honed the media instincts that would later define her communications work.
A reporting stint in Rio de Janeiro newsrooms followed before she transitioned into corporate communications as a press officer at British Airways.
During her time at the airline, she rose through the ranks while managing everything from security incidents and staff court cases to government policy shifts and celebrity-related stories.
She subsequently moved to the Marriott hotel group as a senior director for issues and crisis communications, where her portfolio expanded to encompass international politics, discrimination allegations, and migrant worker rights.
An insider stated that her appointment does not represent a shift in the prince’s overall communications strategy.
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Ravenscroft joined Edelman in November 2024 as a senior director for the UK crisis and risk team, though her tenure there proved brief before the palace came calling.
A Kensington Palace source confirmed this week that her responsibilities will centre “on the day to day press interaction Kensington Palace has” rather than serving in a dedicated crisis capacity.
Industry observers suggest her primary focus will be strengthening William’s long-term credibility as he pursues his ambitions to modernise the monarchy, rather than simply responding to negative coverage.
Nevertheless, her expertise in managing high-stakes reputational challenges is considered valuable, particularly given that the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor situation will inevitably resurface in the months and years ahead.
An insider stated that her appointment does not represent a shift in the prince’s overall communications strategy.
Former colleagues paint a picture of a communications professional uniquely suited to the pressures of royal life.
One previous boss characterised her as “bulletproof sunshine,” an assessment endorsed by a former Edelman colleague who worked alongside her closely.
“She’s an optimistic person, always looking on the bright side,” he says. “And she is extremely modest – she is humble in an industry which is not known for its humility.”
Another ex-colleague, speaking anonymously, described her as the “still centre of the storm” during even the most intense controversies.
“She’s very personable, low ego, and she just gets things done,” he says. “I think she’s one of the most impressive PR professionals I’ve ever worked with – genuinely top notch, unflappable, very focused.”
