Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have returned to the UK, but their royal status has not. However, despite King Charles’ letter declaring them non-working royals, one reality remains unchanged. The report comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex settle into their new life in Harry’s homeland after years abroad.
Roya Nikkhah suggests Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s work is going to look like ‘royal engagements’ despite King Charles’ letter
A royal expert has claimed that King Charles‘ strongly worded letter doubling down on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s royal status after their UK comeback does not fix one central issue.
The letter read, “Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.” Adding, “The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
The monarch’s clarification came after the Sussex pair’s extended move to the UK caught many by surprise. It immediately fueled speculation about whether they would once again take on a prominent role in the Firm.
However, Royal Editor of The Times, Roya Nikkhah, told Times Radio what the guidance means and how much will change in practice. Despite the letter’s insistence that the events aren’t royal, she argued that public perception is difficult to manage.
“The reality is, you can send a letter out saying they’re non-working royals, [but] they are senior members of the royal family – they just are – who are going to be here working, with the media covering their engagements,” Ms Nikkhah explained. “And they’re going to look like royal engagements, whether you send a letter out or you don’t.”
After stepping back as working royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kept a few charitable patronages. But they were no longer allowed to represent the monarch or the royal family. Although the Sussexes kept their HRH titles, they agreed not to use them.
