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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly making their preferences clear over how they wish to be addressed following their return to Britain, after King Charles described their position as being similar to that of “private citizens”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived back in the UK in late August, bringing an end to six years of living primarily in California. The couple are now believed to be establishing a new base in Oxfordshire, while their children, seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet, are said to have started attending schools in the area.
Their unexpected return has once again placed their relationship with the monarchy under close scrutiny, particularly when it comes to the titles and status Harry and Meghan hold following their departure from official royal life.
King Charles has since moved to make the situation clear. In correspondence circulated to senior figures within government and the military, it was confirmed that the arrangement established when the Sussexes stepped away from working royal duties in 2020 remains unchanged.
Under those terms, Harry and Meghan continue not to use the formal His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness styles, despite retaining them.
The letter also drew a firm distinction between official duties performed on behalf of the Crown and the Sussexes’ independent activities. Any charitable initiatives pursued by Harry and Meghan will continue to be undertaken in a “private capacity” rather than as representatives of the Royal Family.
The King’s letter, which was made public on Monday, September 7, reportedly caught Harry and Meghan off guard. Since its release, several British media organisations have claimed the Sussexes would rather be described as “public figures” than in terms comparable to private citizens.
According to the Daily Mail, a briefing note attributed to the couple explained that they favour the description “public figures” because they believe it would “acknowledge that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding”.
The Sussexes were apparently also unaware that the Palace intended to publish the correspondence when it did. A spokesperson for the couple said they “were a little surprised not to have been told about” the King’s letter “in advance”.
Sources have claimed their team received only around an hour to review the document before it entered the public domain. Harry himself reportedly had even less time, with claims that he was able to spend just two minutes reading it because he was attending a meeting in London and could not be contacted earlier.
Meghan, meanwhile, has yet to make a public appearance since the family’s return. However, she is reported to have visited Soho Farmhouse for coffee. The exclusive private members’ club in Oxfordshire has attracted numerous high-profile guests over the years, including the Beckhams and Paul McCartney, and is located in the area where Harry and Meghan are believed to be establishing themselves.
The Express said it had approached both Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a response to the reports.
