Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly unhappy with being described as “akin to private citizens” after King Charles formally reaffirmed that they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.
The wording has become the latest flashpoint in the long-running Sussex saga, with sources claiming the couple would rather be described as “public figures” as they prepare for a more visible life in Britain.
The distinction is particularly striking because the couple’s decision to step down from royal duties in 2020 was closely tied to their stated desire for greater privacy and independence.
King Charles Draws a Clear Line Under Megxit
The King’s letter, authorised on September 7 and circulated to senior government and military officials, made clear that Harry and Meghan have not returned to official royal duties since stepping down six years ago.
It reaffirmed that their charitable activities are undertaken in a personal capacity and that they remain financially independent.
The letter described their position as “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” making clear that there had been no change to the terms agreed after their departure from royal duties.
Harry and Meghan remain the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but their HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not used publicly.
The clarification comes shortly after the couple returned to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after six years living in the United States.
Sussexes ‘Surprised’ by the Announcement
The wording of the letter was not the only source of tension.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said they were surprised that they had not been told about the public release in advance.
“We were a little surprised not to have been told about this [the letter] in advance,” the spokesperson said.
The timing has attracted particular attention because Harry’s long-running dispute over his UK security arrangements remains unresolved.
A committee is due to consider what level of publicly funded protection should be provided now that the Sussexes have returned to Britain.
From ‘Private Life’ to a More Public Role
The debate over the terminology is especially notable given the circumstances surrounding Megxit.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020, moved to California and sought to build independent careers away from the formal responsibilities of the Royal Family.
Yet they remained firmly in the public spotlight.
Their post-royal life has included the widely watched Oprah Winfrey interview, a Netflix documentary series, Harry’s memoir Spare and numerous interviews and public appearances.
Meghan has also spoken repeatedly about her concerns over media intrusion and the desire to protect her children from excessive attention.
Now, however, their return to Britain appears likely to involve a more visible public presence, including charitable activities and other engagements.
That has made the Palace’s description of their status particularly significant.
Security Remains a Major Issue
The question of how Harry and Meghan are classified is also closely connected to the long-running dispute over their security.
Harry lost his automatic entitlement to publicly funded police protection after stepping back from royal duties and subsequently challenged the decision through the courts.
He has argued that the security arrangements make it difficult for him to bring his family to Britain.
His return with Meghan and their children therefore marks a significant change from his previous warnings about bringing his family back to the UK.
The King’s latest guidance makes clear that any security concerns should be dealt with through the relevant police authorities rather than through royal status.
The Sussexes Are Back — But Not as Working Royals
Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain does not mean a return to official royal duties.
They are expected to continue their charitable and commercial activities independently, while the working responsibilities of the monarchy remain with other members of the Royal Family.
That distinction is precisely what the King’s letter sought to reinforce.
Royal commentator Robert Jobson described the intervention as a necessary step to prevent confusion over the Sussexes’ role now that they are spending more time in Britain.
For Harry and Meghan, the disagreement over whether they should be viewed as “private citizens” or “public figures” adds another chapter to the complicated story that began with Megxit.
Six years after they stepped away from the working Royal Family in search of independence, their lives remain anything but private.
And with the Sussexes now back in Britain, the question of exactly how they should be viewed — and where they fit within the wider royal picture — is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.