King Charles has clarified that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will remain non-working members of the Royal Family following their return to the United Kingdom, a status established by the 2020 Sandringham Agreement. The letter confirming this, sent by the Lord Chamberlain to government and military officials, was also shared with Harry’s team hours before its public release. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were “surprised” not to have been consulted on the letter’s contents, while palace sources state Harry’s team was informed beforehand. The move comes as a Home Office security committee meets to discuss potential taxpayer funding for the couple’s security, a point of contention following their relocation from California.
The letter reiterates that Harry and Meghan will not use their “His and Her Royal Highness” titles and will continue to operate as private citizens pursuing commercial and charitable interests. Buckingham Palace released the letter to preempt potential leaks and avoid accusations of secrecy, according to a palace source. The couple’s return to the UK has also prompted questions regarding security arrangements, stemming from a 2020 decision to remove automatic police protection while in Britain. Harry has argued for continued security due to his public profile, military service, and perceived threats.
Not in dispute is the King’s intention to clarify the couple's position and the ongoing debate surrounding their security arrangements. The couple arrived in the UK late last month with their children, Archie and Lilibet, after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
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