London, UK – King Charles III on Monday said his son Harry and his wife Meghan are not to be considered “working members of the royal family” after they moved back to Britain from the US.
The couple left Britain and quit royal duties in 2020 amid a royal family feud.
But in a surprise move last month, Harry (41) and Meghan (45) returned to live in the UK with their two young children, Archie (7) and Lilibet (5).
In the letter, Charles makes clear that the couple’s position is “akin to private citizens” and that they should not be addressed as His and Her Royal Highnesses.
Prince Harry’s latest move reignites tense feud with Prince William
So-called “working royals” are members of the royal family who carry out official duties on behalf of the monarch.
They receive administrative and other support from the Royal Household to do so.
A letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household, said that following the couple’s relocation, there had been “a number of requests for guidance.”
The letter was issued “to help avoid doubt or confusion.”
“It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the sovereign, and are no longer working members of the royal family,” it said.
“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.”
