Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appear to be charting a different course in Britain, one that suggests old rules no longer apply. A new report claims the couple is quietly stepping back from commitments made when they exited royal duties. This raises fresh questions about what their continued stay in the UK will actually look like.
Source reveals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping back from terms of Sandringham Agreement
According to sources quoted by The i Paper, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle no longer consider themselves bound by a central element of the 2020 “Megxit” arrangement. A source close to the couple told the outlet that they are moving away from the terms of the Sandringham Agreement now that their taxpayer-funded security has been withdrawn. The late Queen had approved the terms of this deal six years ago.
Notably, the Sandringham Agreement had signaled that the couple would still adhere to the Nolan Principles, a code that discourages political controversy and prohibits using royal status for commercial gain. The source, however, distinguished between the late Queen’s personal values and the institutional rules tied to the deal, calling the former “shared familial values.”
Financial independence appears central to this shift. The source noted the couple no longer receive public funds. The palace reiterated the same by confirming Harry and Meghan’s position as “private citizens.” This loosens the obligations that came with them. However, “[Harry]’s still the King’s son. There’s no getting away from that,” the source said. “They are working royals, but they don’t work for the institution any longer.”
Constitutional expert Craig Prescott of Royal Holloway told the outlet that the pair have gradually drifted from the agreement’s spirit. He points to overlaps between Meghan’s charity appearances and her commercial ventures. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added, “Nothing has changed but everything has changed.”
Harry, fifth in line to the throne, is set to resume UK engagements this month, including work with Save the Children, two Invictus Games events, and the WellChild Awards. Buckingham Palace has not issued further comment on the matter.
