Prince William and Kate Middleton hire Amanda Berry as new Royal Foundation chief executive

Prince William and Kate Middleton today appointed former Bafta boss Amanda Berry as the new chief executive for their charitable Royal Foundation in what experts said was an ‘inspired’ choice.

The 60-year-old from Darlington announced three months ago that she was leaving Bafta and she is known to be very friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thanks to William being the organisation’s president.

Ms Berry will replace Jason Knauf who stepped down at the end of 2021. Mr Knauf, who famously accused Meghan Markle of bullying, was said to have reluctantly quit after his husband took up a diplomatic position overseas. 

Mr Knauf, the ex-communications secretary to Prince Harry and Meghan, was at the centre of claims that Meghan had bullied palace staff, and made a formal complaint that prompted an internal inquiry. She denies wrongdoing. 

Richard Fitzwilliams, a commentator both on the Royal Family and the film industry, told MailOnline today that the new appointment was ‘an inspired one for the future of the monarchy which the Cambridges and their children represent’ and said Ms Berry was ‘a pragmatic and dedicated moderniser’ who had a ‘remarkable’ record at Bafta.

When Ms Berry’s exit was announced last December, the organisation said she did not intend to step down until autumn 2023. But Kensington Palace has now revealed today that Ms Berry will take up her new post at the Royal Foundation in June this year – the same month when the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are planned.

William and Kate, who are regulars on the red carpet at the Bafta awards each year, said in a statement: ‘We are very much looking forward to working with Amanda and are thrilled that she has chosen to join us at the Royal Foundation. Her extensive experience will be of tremendous value as we continue our ambitious charitable work.’ 

Meghan’s biographer Omid Scobie tweeted today that William had worked with Ms Berry ‘on a number of occasions’, adding that his inaugural Earthshot Prize was yesterday nominated for the ‘Best Live TV Event’ Bafta. 

During this year’s Baftas, which William could not attend due to ‘diary constraints’, host Rebel Wilson made a joke about Harry and Meghan’s 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying: ‘From drama to fantasy, Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview had it all. Unfortunately, that’s not nominated in this category, but some incredible films are.’

She also poked fun at Prince Andrew regarding the infamous reference he made to visiting a Pizza Express in Woking during his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, saying: ‘So I was going to do a musical number as host, it was about Prince Andrew though. Um, no guys, it’s no, it’s not what you think. It was on roller skates, it’s called Pizza Express. But don’t worry, I’m not gonna do it, I’m not gonna sing. I’m saving my voice for the sequel to Cats.’ 

Amanda Berry and Kate Middleton laugh as they sit either side of Prince William at the Baftas in London in February 2019

Amanda Berry, Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Baftas at the Royal Albert Hall in London in February 2019

Prince William walks with Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry to tour the organisation’s HQ in London in September 2019

Actor Tom Hiddleston kisses Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry at the Royal Festival Hall in London in May 2016

Former Royal Foundation chief executive Jason Knauf is pictured (left) at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018, and (right) with Harry in South Africa in December 2015

Ms Berry said today: ‘I am very excited to be joining The Royal Foundation as it continues to step up the global ambition for The Duke and Duchess’ philanthropic work.

‘I have witnessed, and am so impressed by, the unique impact the Royal Foundation can make on the issues Their Royal Highnesses support, from mental health to conservation, and raising awareness of the importance of early years.

Amanda Berry: Dry cleaner’s daughter who joined Bafta 24 years ago 

Amanda Berry in 2000 after taking over as Bafta chief

Amanda Berry, 60, was born on August 20, 1961 in Darlington, County Durham, to a dry cleaner father and hotelier mother.

She began her television career in 1989 as a researcher for London Weekend Television before working as a producer and development executive for Scottish Television Enterprises.

Ms Berry joining Bafta in October 1998 as director of development and events, and was named Media Boss of the Year and one of the Women of the Year in 1999.

She became chief executive in December 2000 and upon her resignation last December was also a director of Bafta Enterprises, Bafta Media Technology, Albert Sustainable Production Certification and 195 Piccadilly, Bafta’s hospitality and corporate hire business.

‘I am looking forward to working with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with the trustees and staff to continue this important work.’   

It comes three months after Ms Berry resigned from Bafta – an acronym for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts – amid claims she had become ‘over-familiar’ with the royals. 

She also attracted criticism for handing the Doctor Who star Noel Clarke an outstanding contribution to cinema award in April last year shortly before sexual misconduct allegations against him came to light.

The month after Clarke received the prize, more than 20 women came forward with claims against him. He denied any misconduct, and Bafta suspended the award and Clarke’s membership, but the organisation was criticised for not having looked into his alleged conduct more thoroughly.

And that followed William’s criticism of the awards’ lack of diversity in 2020. Nominees in the four acting categories were all white, while no women were nominated for best director, for the seventh year in a row.

However, the Duke of Cambridge’s intervention led to a major shake-up, with Bafta bringing in 120 changes to its awards processes and promising to introduce 1,000 new members from underrepresented backgrounds.

Ms Berry, who became chief executive of Bafta in 2000, was said to have been ‘allowed to leave gracefully’ after having ‘rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way over the years’ and becoming ‘far too familiar with the royals’. 

A source told the Daily Mail last December: ‘She liked to give the impression that William and Kate were her friends.’ 

But Bafta denied to MailOnline that her departure was connected to Clarke or her royal relationships.

Kensington Palace today said in an announcement today that Ms Berry was ‘selected following an extensive global search’ and that she will lead the Royal Foundation ‘as it continues to deliver an ambitious new strategy, mobilising leaders, businesses, and people to address society’s greatest challenges together’.  

Amanda Berry at the Baftas at the Royal Albert Hall on March 13, 2022 (left) and last year’s awards on April 11, 2021 (right)

Edith Bowman, actor Tom Hiddleston and Amanda Berry at a Baftas event at the Savoy Hotel in London in January 2020

(From left) Amanda Berry, Trino Verkade, Eddie and Hannah Redmayne at LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair in September 2019

Royal aides added that Ms Berry was joining the organisation ‘at an exciting time as it delivers important work this year including the evolution of The Earthshot Prize, The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and United for Wildlife, while also supporting further work currently under development’.

RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS: Amanda Berry is an ‘inspired’ appointment

It is rare for a royal appointment to a raise a cheer, but the choice of Amanda Berry, the chief executive officer of Bafta, to be the chief executive officer of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from June of this year is undoubtedly an excellent one.

Her record at Bafta has been remarkable. When she took over in 2000, the ceremony used to be awkwardly positioned at the end of the awards season and lacked influence. It was positioned before the Oscars, which it was subsequently seen to influence, in 2001.

It was also enormously beneficial that there were so many talented British nominees at the Oscars each year. Also, the presence of top Hollywood stars at the ceremony, which was moved to the Royal Albert Hall in 2017, boosted its profile enormously.

After the absence of any actors of colour among the nominees in 2020, Bafta announced a total overhaul of its awards system to further diversity, which it clearly succeeded in doing in the 2021 awards. The ceremony this year was notable for championing new talent as well as for being inclusive, and was also remarkably balanced in its choices of nominees.

The awards had been totally transformed in a couple of years, which was an amazing achievement. The Bafta HQ in Piccadilly was also redeveloped and Bafta’s charitable work greatly expanded, during her truly remarkable tenure.

The Foundation includes William’s ambitious Earthshot Prize to benefit the environment, Catherine’s project to study early childhood and work on conservation, all are excellent philanthropic causes.

The choice of Amanda Berry, who is a pragmatic and dedicated moderniser, to run it, is an inspired one for the future of the monarchy which the Cambridges and their children represent.

They said that Ms Berry had been ‘instrumental in the major changes Bafta has undergone, including ‘successfully positioning the organisation as the pre-eminent charitable body celebrating the very best work in film, games and television; supporting the growth of creative talent; and discovering, inspiring and nurturing new talent’.

The aides added that Amanda ‘oversaw a huge expansion in the organisation’s charitable work; was at the heart of the successful delivery of one of Bafta’s most ambitious undertakings to date, the redevelopment of its HQ at 195 Piccadilly; and re-positioned the Film Awards, creating one of the most globally respected industry events of the international Awards calendar’.

Mr Fitzwilliams told MailOnline today: ‘It is rare for a royal appointment to a raise a cheer, but the choice of Amanda Berry, the chief executive officer of Bafta, to be the chief executive officer of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from June of this year is undoubtedly an excellent one.

‘Her record at Bafta has been remarkable. When she took over in 2000, the ceremony used to be awkwardly positioned at the end of the awards season and lacked influence. It was positioned before the Oscars, which it was subsequently seen to influence, in 2001. 

‘It was also enormously beneficial that there were so many talented British nominees at the Oscars each year. Also, the presence of top Hollywood stars at the ceremony, which was moved to the Royal Albert Hall in 2017, boosted its profile enormously. 

‘After the absence of any actors of colour among the nominees in 2020, Bafta announced a total overhaul of its awards system to further diversity, which it clearly succeeded in doing in the 2021 awards. The ceremony this year was notable for championing new talent as well as for being inclusive, and was also remarkably balanced in its choices of nominees. 

‘The awards had been totally transformed in a couple of years, which was an amazing achievement. The Bafta HQ in Piccadilly was also redeveloped and Bafta’s charitable work greatly expanded, during her truly remarkable tenure.

‘The Foundation includes William’s ambitious Earthshot Prize to benefit the environment, Catherine’s project to study early childhood and work on conservation, all are excellent philanthropic causes.

‘The choice of Amanda Berry, who is a pragmatic and dedicated moderniser, to run it, is an inspired one for the future of the monarchy which the Cambridges and their children represent.’

Her appointment comes after the foundation’s previous chief executive, Mr Knauf, announced he was leaving last year.

He worked for the Sussexes as their communications secretary when in October 2018 he emailed his concerns  about Meghan, who denies the bullying allegations, to William’s then private secretary, in an apparent attempt to force Buckingham Palace to protect staff. 

Amanda Berry (left) with Natalie Dormer, Joanna Lumley, Letitia Wright and Jane Lush at a Baftas event in January 2018

Amanda Berry poses for a photo with Everybody’s Talking About Jamie star Max Harwood in London in March 2022

Amanda Berry with Charlie’s Angels actress Ella Balinska and Sex Education star Asa Butterfield in London in January 2020

Speaking today about Ms Berry’s appointment, Royal Foundation chair Lord Hague of Richmond – former foreign secretary William Hague – said: ‘We are delighted that Amanda has agreed to join The Royal Foundation and look forward to welcoming her in post. 

Meghan Markle’s biographer Omid Scobie said that Prince William had worked with Ms Berry ‘on a number of occasions’

‘Amanda brings with her extensive experience of leading a globally recognised organisation with a strong sense of purpose, and we are very pleased to have someone of her calibre take on this important role leading Their Royal Highnesses’ philanthropic work.’

And Krishnendu Majumdar, chair of Bafta said: ‘Throughout her 23-year tenure as chief executive of Bafta, Amanda’s dedication, creativity and skilled leadership have enabled Bafta to evolve and grow into a world-leading arts organisation whilst ensuring its charitable purpose has remained at its heart.

‘Amanda leaves a very different Bafta to the one she joined, and an incredible legacy. 

‘Her passion for supporting new talent is evident in Bafta greatly expanded, year-round global learning and talent development programmes, while her stewardship of the flagship Bafta Awards has seen the organisation grow and evolve into an internationally recognised and respected brand.

‘I couldn’t be happier for her that her next act will be leading the Royal Foundation and its philanthropic work and cannot imagine a more fitting organisation to benefit from her influence and commitment.

‘On behalf of everyone at Bafta I would like to thank Amanda for everything she has helped Bafta achieve and wish her every success in her new role.’