LONDON (AP) - Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, were reportedly surprised by Buckingham Palace's recent release of a letter that clarified their status as non-working members of the royal family, despite their return to the United Kingdom. The letter was sent on behalf of King Charles III to senior government and military officials.
The couple was caught off guard by the letter's public release, which occurred on Monday with little prior notice. According to a source familiar with the discussions, Harry and Meghan's representatives received a copy of the letter only one hour and twelve minutes before it was made public. This tight timeline limited their opportunity to respond, as Harry was in a meeting and only became reachable just two minutes before the letter's release.
The contents of the letter emphasized that Harry and Meghan would continue to refrain from using their formal royal titles, such as "His Royal Highness" and "Her Royal Highness," which they have not used since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. The letter also noted that any charity work they undertake would be conducted in a private capacity, reinforcing the boundaries set by the royal family regarding their involvement in official functions.
To clarify any potential confusion regarding their status, the Lord Chamberlain, who is the most senior official within the royal household, communicated that King Charles III directed the sharing of this information. The clear message supports the notion that Harry and Meghan’s royal positions have not changed since they stepped back from their duties.
Harry and Meghan's retreat from royal duties began in 2020, following their move to North America in pursuit of financial independence through lucrative deals with streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify. At that time, Queen Elizabeth II made it clear that the couple could not maintain part-time royal roles while engaging in commercial ventures. This stance was reiterated by King Charles III following his accession to the throne in 2022.
The couple's reaction to the letter, which confirmed that their royal status remains unchanged, highlights ongoing tensions surrounding their return to the U.K. Observers have expressed concerns that Harry and Meghan's presence could potentially lead to the establishment of a parallel royal court that may compete with active working members of the royal family.
One particularly contentious issue is the matter of security. Prince Harry has been engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the British government regarding the restoration of publicly funded police protection, which was withdrawn when he and Meghan stepped back from their royal roles. The decision on whether to reinstate the couple's round-the-clock security is under the purview of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), which is expected to convene this week.
As the situation develops, the future relationship between the couple and the royal family remains closely watched, with implications for both their personal and professional endeavors as they navigate their status in British society.
