Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been left “a little surprised” after King Charles issued an unprecedented letter clarifying that the couple remain private citizens, despite their recent return to the UK.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were not warned in advance that the guidance would be issued publicly.
The statement came after the King instructed the Lord Chamberlain, his most senior official, to circulate the clarification to more than 100 senior figures across government, the military and the country’s lord lieutenants.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are ‘surprised’ over the letter(Image: Getty Images)
Palace Insists Sussexes Received the Letter Before It Was Published
The letter was issued after officials received requests for clarification about Harry and Meghan’s status following their return to Britain.
According to the guidance, there has been no change to the couple’s position since they stepped back from royal duties in January 2020.
Harry and Meghan’s HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not to be used, while the couple do not represent the Sovereign during public appearances.
The Sussexes’ spokesman said: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.”
However, Palace sources disputed the suggestion that the couple were completely unaware of the move.
They said Harry and Meghan had received the letter before it was made public, although they had not been consulted about its contents.
The sources also insisted the decision had nothing to do with the couple’s ongoing security concerns or any forthcoming meeting of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec.
King Charles reiterated the couple’s roles following their UK return last month (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Letter Draws a Clear Line Around Their Royal Status
The guidance makes clear that Harry and Meghan’s decision to relocate to the UK does not change their constitutional or royal status.
The letter states that the couple stepped down from representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign in 2020 and “are no longer working members of The Royal Family.”
It adds that their position, including the independence and privacy they sought after leaving royal duties, will continue to be respected.
Their charitable activities are also described as personal endeavors carried out in a private capacity.
In short, the letter says their position is comparable to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
A royal source described the move as an important line being drawn shortly after the Sussexes returned to Britain.
The source said the King had made his position unmistakably clear: returning to the UK does not mean Harry and Meghan are returning as working royals.
Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020(Image: Jonathan Brady/Pool PA via AP)
Security Dispute Remains a Major Issue
The timing of the statement is particularly significant because Harry has spent years challenging the loss of taxpayer-funded security following his decision to step down as a working royal.
The Duke has previously argued that the security arrangements available to him and his family are insufficient when they visit Britain.
Harry and Meghan reportedly remain concerned about their safety, including when their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are in the UK.
Harry and Meghan with their children(Image: @meghan/Instagram)
The couple returned to Britain around two weeks ago with their children after spending years living in California.
Harry has previously said he could not see how he could bring his wife and children back to the UK after losing their automatic entitlement to taxpayer-funded police protection.
A meeting of Ravec, the Home Office committee responsible for decisions concerning royal security, is expected to take place soon to consider the Sussexes’ security arrangements.
According to Palace sources, however, the King’s letter was separate from that process.
Harry and Meghan Set to Resume Public Appearances
Despite the clarification over their status, both Harry and Meghan are expected to undertake public activities in Britain.
Meghan is reportedly preparing to carry out charity work in the coming weeks, while Harry is expected to begin public appearances sooner.
Later this month, he is due to attend the annual WellChild Awards as well as events connected with the Invictus Games.
He is also expected to take part in a skydive supporting military charities, following a promise he made to 102-year-old veteran Ed Marshall during a visit to Toronto last November.
Meanwhile, Archie and Lilibet are expected to begin attending school in the UK near the family’s reported countryside base in the Cotswolds.
The Sussexes’ return therefore marks a significant new chapter for the family—but the King’s letter makes one point clear: their presence in Britain does not amount to a return as working members of the Royal Family.