King Charles clarifies Harry and Meghan’s status after UK return: ‘Private citizens’ | Today’s news
King Charles III has made it clear that his son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are not working members of the British royal family, despite their recent return to the UK.
The couple stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States amid tensions with the royal family. Last month, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, returned to Britain with their children, seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet.
A letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the royal household, said the couple’s status remains unchanged following their relocation.
Harry and Meghan remain outside the working royal family
The letter said there had been “several requests for advice” following the couple’s move back to Britain and that the clarification was intended to “help avoid doubt or confusion”.
“It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from representative duties on behalf of the monarch and are no longer working members of the Royal Family,” the letter said.
It added that their status, separate from the official duties performed by working members of the royal family, would continue to be respected.
The couple will not use HRH styles
The letter also reiterated that Harry and Meghan should not be addressed as His Royal Highness or Her Royal Highness.
“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highnesses… are not in use,” it read.
It described the couple’s position as “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”, stressing that their charitable activities are carried out personally.
Harry and Meghan remain formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Harry and Meghan’s return raises security questions
The clarification comes amid questions over whether the Sussexes could receive state-funded security upon their return to Britain.
Harry lost his automatic police protection after stepping back from royal duties. He subsequently challenged the decision in court, but lost his bid to lift the security measures.
Britain’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), an independent body overseen by the Home Office, determines which members of the royal family, politicians and other public figures receive police protection.
With Harry now reportedly living permanently in Britain, Ravec’s risk management board is expected to reassess the level of threat he faces.
Read also | Camilla supports Charles as Harry seeks to reconcile the royal family
Who are the working royals?
Senior working royals currently include King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, are also employees of the Royal Family. Several cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth II. continues to perform official duties.
However, Harry and Meghan remain outside this group despite their return to Britain.
Harry and Meghan are said to be settling in the Cotswolds
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly live in England’s Cotswolds region and have enrolled their children in private schools there for the upcoming academic year.
Their return marks a significant change from their life in the US after 2020, but King Charles’ latest clarification makes it clear that moving back to Britain will not restore their status as working royals.
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