King Charles has authorised a formal letter of guidance sent by the Lord Chamberlain, confirming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain non-working members of the Royal Family following their return to the UK with their children, and that their Royal Highness titles are not in use.
Buckingham Palace has moved to define the boundaries of Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain, circulating a formal letter to senior figures across government, the armed forces, and Lord Lieutenancies distributed on the King’s behalf. The correspondence makes clear that the couple’s status remains unchanged from the arrangements agreed upon when they stepped back from official duties.
The Lord Chamberlain’s Letter and the Sandringham Agreement
The guidance was circulated on the King’s behalf by Lord Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain, and has also been shared with Harry and Meghan themselves. It opens by acknowledging that numerous requests for clarity had been received following the couple’s decision to move back to the UK. To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King directed that the information be shared. Prince Harry and his family arrived back in Britain late last month, specifically on 26 August, alongside their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, following their move back from California. Officials stressed it remains consistent with the so-called Sandringham agreement, reached in January 2020, which still stands.
The letter makes clear that any engagements carried out by the Sussexes will be in a private capacity and they will not be representing the Royal Family. Distributed to senior figures across government, the armed forces and Lord Lieutenancies—who are the monarch’s local representatives and are often involved in royal visits and engagements—the correspondence makes clear that Harry and Meghan’s HRH styles remain in abeyance and are not to be used. Charles directed that the couple should be regarded as nothing other than private individuals, a position palace officials say is in full accordance
with the Sussexes’ own stated wishes.
Private Status, Commercial Interests, and Charitable Work
The official correspondence notes that the couple’s current position defines them clearly. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,
the letter stated. The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal and financial reasons, moving to the United States to chart independent careers. Over the six years since quitting royal duties, Harry accused the royals of neglect, the tabloid press of ruining his life, and the government of failing to provide enough security for him to ever return home.
Following their return to the UK, HELLO! revealed that one of Meghan’s UK charities, Smart Works, was “excited” to welcome her back to the UK, while other reports over the weekend suggested she could be eyeing up further work in the charitable sector. Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the letter, which was sent to Prince Harry’s team, government departments, military officials, and Lord Lieutenants by Palace sources.
Operational Details and Background
The message also confirmed that the couple will operate separately from the Royal Household. The letter is intended to clarify the status of Prince Harry and Meghan, who moved back from California with children Archie and Lilibet last month. They will still not be able to use the “HRHtitles of His and Her Royal Highness, and remain
private citizens”, says the letter sent on behalf of the King by the Lord Chamberlain, a top Palace official. This letter makes clear that any engagements carried out by the Sussexes will be in a private capacity and they will not be representing the Royal Family, serving as a reminder that any Prince Harry and Meghan visits should not be treated as royal engagements.
