5 Things King Charles’ Letter Makes Clear About Harry and Meghan’s Future

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the U.K., it raised many questions about whether their place within the Royal Family was about to change. But King Charles has now made things clear. In a letter issued on his behalf, the monarch reaffirmed that the Sussexes remain non-working royals and private citizens, even as they begin a new chapter in Britain. It reads as, "Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for Guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King has directed that the following information be shared."

Moving back to the UK had many believing that Harry and Markle might gradually find their way back into the Royal Family’s official orbit. Charles’ letter shuts down that possibility. “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 states. The couple can still have a public presence and support causes they care about, but they will be doing so as private individuals, not as representatives of the monarchy.

Harry and Markle did not lose their “His Royal Highness” and “Her Royal Highness” styles when they stepped down as working royals in 2020. Charles’ new letter says, “It follows 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.” The titles being placed “in abeyance” means that they remain part of their formal status but are not used. The arrangement was made because the couple no longer carried out official duties on behalf of the monarch. In other words, their move back to Britain does not mean a return to their former position within the working monarchy.

The Sussexes can continue supporting charitable causes, but the King’s letter makes clear that this work is theirs to pursue independently. It describes their charity work as a personal matter undertaken in their private capacity, rather than something carried out as part of their royal responsibilities. It said, “The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” That distinction becomes clearer when you look at the causes Harry and Markle continue to support, including the Invictus Games Foundation and the WellChild Awards.

One of the clearest signs that Harry and Markle are not being folded back into royal life is where their official correspondence is sent. Even after returning to the UK, matters concerning the couple will continue to be handled by their own office, rather than by the Royal Household. The King’s letter specifically says, “All correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, which will continue to operate separately from The Royal Household.”

The letter also draws a clear line around one of the most contentious issues surrounding Harry’s return to Britain: security. The letter stressed, “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant Police authorities.” In other words, their return to the UK does not put security arrangements back in the King’s hands. Harry has been in a long-running battle over his security arrangements since stepping down as a working royal. He has challenged the decision to remove his taxpayer-funded police protection and has argued that he and his family remain at risk in Britain.