BREAKING NEWS: King Charles issues official guidance on Prince Harry and Meghan’s UK return
The King has clarified the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s position now they reside in the UK.
King Charles has issued guidance on his son, Prince Harry (Image: Getty)
King Charles has made clear that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s official position remains unchanged now that they have returned to the UK. In a letter to Government officials, the military and Lord Lieutenancies, the monarch reaffirmed their status as non-working royals “to help avoid doubt or confusion” following their bombshell decision to relocate to Britain six years after quitting royal duties.
It is understood that clarity about Harry and Meghan’s position had been sought at senior Government level, prompting the King to instruct his most senior official, the Lord Chamberlain, to pen the letter. It comes after numerous reports that the couple were seeking to increase the number of charitable engagements in the UK.
The strongly-worded letter, shared today, states that Harry and Meghan are private citizens and confirmed that their HRH titles remain in abeyance – which means that they will not be used in any official capacity. It also asks that any security queries should be directed to individual police forces, rather than to Buckingham Palace.
“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” the letter says.
The King’s letter in full:
Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, 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.
It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. 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.
Any specific questions from official and State organisations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace. Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant Police authorities.
All correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, which will continue to operate separately from The Royal Household.
The Right Honourable The Lord Benyon GCVO
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK at the end of last month (Image: Getty)
The King makes clear that the so-called Sandringham agreement struck with the late Queen Elizabeth II after they first announced their intentions to step down as senior working royals in January 2020 still stands.
A letter has been sent to the Duke and Duchess.
Officials have insisted that the letter does not provide any new information on Harry and Meghan’s arrangements, the King is simply reiterating what was agreed in 2020. But the need for such a letter to be penned highlights just how much confusion and concern has arisen from the Sussexes relocation back to Britain.
Six years ago, it was agreed that the couple would no longer use their HRH titles and would become private citizens. They were told that they could no longer formally represent the Royal Family, so any work they undertook in the future would be in a private capacity.
