Exactly 12 days have passed since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to Britain with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and after endless speculation, King Charles — Harry’s father — has finally addressed their return and clarified their status: Harry and Meghan remain members of the royal family but are not working royals.
King Charles approved a letter sent to senior British government officials reaffirming that his younger son and daughter-in-law remain nonworking members of the royal family following their return to Britain, the BBC and other British media outlets reported Monday.
In a guidance letter sent to “senior interested parties” in the government, military and organizations representing the royal family across the country, Charles said Harry and Meghan’s royal styles remain suspended and that they should be treated as private individuals.
The king also made clear that “any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.” The guidance was issued on the king’s instructions by the most senior official in his royal household, the Lord Chamberlain.
Palace officials said the letter was sent in full coordination with the Sussexes’ stated wish to remain private citizens while in Britain and in accordance with what has become known as the “Sandringham agreement,” which remains in effect.
King Charles
(Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The letter stated: “Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the U.K., we have received a number of requests for guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King has directed that the following information be shared. It is well known that 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.
“This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”
The letter continued: “There is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their ‘His Royal Highness’ and ‘Her Royal Highness’ styles remain suspended and are not in use. The duke and duchess’ work on behalf of charitable organizations 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.”