King Charles has formally clarified that Prince Harry and Meghan remain private citizens and will not resume royal duties following their return to the UK.
A letter issued on the King’s behalf has been sent to senior officials across government, the military and the Lord Lieutenancies after questions were raised about how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be treated.
The guidance, circulated by Lord Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain, said the couple’s status had not changed since they stepped back from official duties in January 2020.
“To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared,” the letter said.
It confirmed that Harry and Meghan were no longer working members of the Royal Family and would not undertake representative duties for the monarch. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.
The couple retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, while Harry remains a prince. They have not been stripped of any honours.
The letter also stressed that their charitable work, including Harry’s involvement with the Invictus Games, is conducted in a private capacity. Their commercial interests are similarly separate from the royal household.
“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” it said.
Questions from government departments and other official bodies about the courtesies to be extended to the couple, particularly where public money might be involved, have been directed to Buckingham Palace. Queries about their commercial and charitable activities are to be sent to the Sussexes’ own representatives.
The guidance does not determine the couple’s security arrangements. Any operational questions remain the responsibility of the relevant police authorities, while decisions about publicly funded protection are being considered separately by RAVEC, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.
Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with their children last month, six years after leaving the country for North America and stepping down as senior working royals. They are understood to be living at a private residence outside London, while retaining their home in California.
Their return prompted speculation that they might seek a renewed role within the monarchy, despite previous indications that they intended to remain private citizens. Palace officials had already made clear that the couple could not combine royal duties with independent commercial and charitable work.
The decision to distribute the letter widely, including to the Sussexes’ team, appears intended to prevent further uncertainty over their position. It also makes clear that returning to Britain has not amounted to a restoration of royal duties or a change to the arrangements agreed when they stepped back.
Security remains a particularly sensitive issue for Harry, who has previously challenged the decision to reduce his publicly funded protection after he ceased to be a working royal. The latest palace guidance leaves that matter outside the question of the couple’s constitutional and ceremonial status.
