King Charles III has formally clarified where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand within the royal family following the couple’s return to Britain with their two children.
According to a letter obtained by the BBC, the guidance follows Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, arriving in England for an extended stay with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Despite the family’s return, Buckingham Palace is not changing the arrangement that has been in place since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior working royals in 2020.
King Charles III Reaffirms Harry and Meghan’s Current Status: They Are Not Royals
Charles, 77, directed Lord Chamberlain Richard Benyon to share formal guidance regarding the couple’s position, according to a letter circulated to outlets including the BBC on Monday, September 7.
Benyon wrote 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,” he continued, noting that “The King has directed that the following information be shared.”
GettyThe letter also made clear that Harry and Meghan continue to pursue their charitable and professional work independently of the monarchy.
“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” Benyon wrote. “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
Harry and Meghan Remain Non-Working Royals
Benyon also restated the arrangement established after the Sussexes left their senior royal roles six years ago.
He wrote that the couple “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.”
GettyThe statement confirms that Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain does not signal a return to official royal duties.
Archie and Lilibet Begin Their Extended Stay in Britain
Harry and Meghan arrived in England with their children on Wednesday, August 26. Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, have since been enrolled in a British school for the duration of the family’s stay, according to multiple reports.
E! News previously reported that the move is not expected to be permanent. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, remains in Los Angeles while the Sussexes spend an extended period in the U.K.
Neither Harry nor Meghan has publicly addressed the move.
Meghan Markle Has Previously Spoken About Protecting Her Children
Meghan has long emphasized the importance of protecting Archie and Lilibet’s privacy, particularly around their schooling.
In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she discussed concerns that routine school drop-offs could become public photo opportunities. “That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy,” Meghan said. “That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.”
The palace’s latest guidance leaves the Sussexes with the same independence they have had since 2020 while giving their family room to spend more time in Britain.
