LONDON — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly caught off guard by a letter from King Charles III clarifying how the couple should be treated following their return to the United Kingdom.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were “a little surprised” that they had not been informed about the letter further in advance. The couple reportedly had limited time to respond before the guidance was circulated publicly.
The letter, issued by the Lord Chamberlain on the King’s behalf, reaffirmed that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and should be treated as private citizens. Their status has not changed since they stepped back from official royal duties in 2020.
The couple will continue to use their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but their His and Her Royal Highness styles remain in abeyance and are not used publicly or officially. Any charitable activities they undertake are also considered private rather than official royal engagements.
Harry and Meghan recently returned to Britain with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, after several years living in the United States. Their move has prompted renewed questions about their role, public appearances and security arrangements.
The letter was sent to senior government and military officials as well as the King’s representatives around the country, with the palace saying the clarification was intended to avoid confusion about the couple’s status.
The development comes as attention remains focused on how the Sussexes will balance their private lives and charitable work with their continued high public profile now that they are living in the UK again.
