King Charles has reaffirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain non-working members of the Royal Family following their return to Britain. A letter issued on the King’s behalf clarified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens and that their charitable activities are undertaken in a personal capacity. The communication was sent to senior officials to avoid confusion over the couple’s role following their move back to the U.K.
King Charles shuts door on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal future with letter, per source
Tensions between King Charles, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have resurfaced after the couple returned to the UK last month and started preparing for public-facing charity engagements. Subsequently, questions emerged over whether the couple could quietly slip back into a “half-in, half-out” role.
According to an insider speaking to RadarOnline, the Palace’s position is now firm. The Sussexes are not working royals, and their HRH styles remain unused. The insider added that Charles wanted to prevent any confusion between Harry and Meghan’s activities and official royal engagements, “regardless of how prominent their activities become following their return.” The source reported that Charles “was essentially sick of the Sussexes posing as working royals without his blessing.”
Notably, King Charles made the royal statuses of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle clear through a letter of guidance. Penned by the Lord Chamberlain, it states that they received a wave of enquiries and “requests for guidance.” It goes on to state, “In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
The letter also described Harry and Meghan’s charitable work as a personal matter undertaken in a private capacity, likening their position to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. It was circulated to Lord Lieutenants, government officials and senior military figures across Britain to help avoid confusion over the couple’s status.
