'Six months of listening': Queen gives Meghan Markle former secretary

Meghan Markle has been bestowed one of the Queen’s most trusted aides – and she’s an Aussie.

Samantha Cohen is the Queen’s assistant private secretary, and has been part of Her Majesty’s team for close to two decades.

She has been assigned to work with the new Duchess of Sussex for six months as part of her preparation for her new royal life.

Ms Cohen, who is dubbed “Samantha the Panther” because of her no-nonsense approach, resigned last year following reports the Queen’s private secretary Lord Geidt had been ousted last year.

However, she decided to move to Kensington Palace as a temporary replacement for Prince Harry’s departing private secretary Edward Lane Fox.

A source told the Times that it will be “six months of listening” for Meghan.

“She is seeking out advice from a range of people. She is going to proceed with humility. It’s not going to be quiet though. It is going to be a very busy office.

“She has worked every day of her life. She is used to a demanding schedule.”

Meghan had her first public appearance as part of the royal family earlier this week, when she attended early birthday celebrations for Prince Charles.

The engagement marked the start of royal life for the new Duchess, who has previously spoken of her excitement about becoming a working member of the family, and Ms Cohen was there to guide her.

When asked how she felt about giving up her acting career in her engagement interview with Prince Harry, she famously said, “I don’t see it as giving anything up. I see it as a change. It’s a new chapter.”

It has not yet been announced which causes she and Prince Harry will champion and work for in their new roles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, however it has been widely speculated that Meghan will campaign for women’s rights.