King Charles Clarifies Harry And Meghan’s Status As Private Citizens

King Charles III has clarified that his son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan, are not to be regarded as working members of the royal family following their return to Britain.

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and subsequently moved to the United States. The couple returned to live in Britain last month with their children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.

The clarification was issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household, following what the letter described as “several requests for guidance” about the couple’s status.

It said the couple’s position remained distinct from that of working members of the royal family.

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“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,” the letter said.

“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.”

Sussexes Will Not Use Royal Highness Styles

The statement also reiterated that Harry and Meghan should not be addressed as His or Her Royal Highness.

“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness... are not used,” the letter said.

The couple remain formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the Royal Household said their charitable activities are undertaken in a personal capacity rather than as representatives of the monarch.

“The charitable work of the duke and duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter said.

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“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”

Working royals, by contrast, carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch and receive administrative and other support from the Royal Household.

Return To Britain Raises Security Questions

Harry and Meghan are reportedly living in the Cotswolds region of central England, where their children are also said to have enrolled at private schools.

Their return has renewed questions about the security arrangements available to Harry, who has previously challenged the British government's decision to reduce his police protection.

Harry lost a legal challenge against the decision after his security arrangements were downgraded following his departure from royal duties in 2020.

Security decisions for senior royals and other protected individuals are made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec, an independent body overseen by the Home Office.

Harry’s return to permanent residence in Britain could lead to a reassessment of the security threat facing him. Any decision about police protection would be made through the relevant security assessment process.

Working Royal Family

The senior working members of the royal family include King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are also among those undertaking official duties.

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Several cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth II also continue to carry out royal engagements.

The latest clarification makes clear that Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain does not, in itself, restore their former role as working members of the royal family.

Their status remains that of private individuals, with their commercial and charitable activities conducted independently of official royal duties.