BREAKING: King Charles turns down Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s latest demand
King Charles is reportedly refusing to change the way Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are formally described following their return to Britain, despite claims the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would prefer to be recognised as “public figures”.
The disagreement comes after Palace guidance reiterated that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and should be treated as private citizens.
According to a source speaking to RadarOnline.com, the King has no intention of changing that position simply because the Sussexes are unhappy with the terminology.
“The King is never going to relent simply because Harry and Meghan dislike being described as private citizens,” the insider claimed.
The issue has become another source of tension since Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK last month after six years living in California.
Palace Concerned About Wider Implications
One reported concern is that officially describing Harry and Meghan as “public figures” could have consequences beyond royal protocol.
A source claimed Palace officials are wary that such wording could potentially be referenced by Harry in his continuing arguments surrounding security.
“There is a concern that formally accepting their preferred description of ‘public figures’ could potentially be seized upon by Harry as supporting his argument over security,” the insider said.
“Charles does not want Palace language becoming ammunition in another dispute.”
That suggestion has not been publicly confirmed by Buckingham Palace and remains the source’s interpretation of the King’s position.
However, it highlights why what might appear to be a simple disagreement over wording has attracted so much attention.
Harry has repeatedly raised concerns over security arrangements for himself and his family in Britain, making his official status a particularly sensitive issue.
Lord Chamberlain Issued Clear Guidance
The latest row began after the Lord Chamberlain issued formal guidance following Harry and Meghan’s relocation.
The notice made clear that their return to Britain had not changed the arrangement established when they stepped away from senior royal duties in 2020.
“Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for guidance,” the statement said.
“To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King has directed that the following information be shared.”
The guidance then reiterated that Harry and Meghan no longer perform representative duties on behalf of the sovereign.
“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,” it continued.
The message effectively drew a clear distinction between the Sussexes’ return to the UK and any return to official royal life.
Return to Britain Brings Fresh Scrutiny
Harry and Meghan’s move back to Britain was always likely to raise questions about how their roles would work.
For six years, the couple built their lives in California while remaining outside the working Royal Family.
Their relocation has now placed them physically closer to the monarchy again, but the Palace has made clear that their constitutional and official position has not changed.
The reported disagreement over being labelled “private citizens” has therefore become symbolic of the wider challenge facing the couple.
Harry and Meghan may continue to have major public profiles, carry out charitable work and attract international attention, but that does not mean they are once again representing the Crown.
For Charles, according to the latest claims, maintaining that distinction is essential.
The King is reportedly unwilling to adopt language that could blur the line between Harry and Meghan’s independent public lives and the duties carried out by working royals.
And despite the Sussexes’ return to Britain, the latest Palace position suggests one thing remains firmly unchanged: they are back in the UK, but not back inside the working monarchy.
